LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER:

A Biblical Study of Divorce

H. a! Dy"e Paru!a"# P$.D.
Copyright 1987, 1990, 2010, 2011
All Rights Reserved
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
PREFACE
They shall be one flesh.
Five times in the Bible the Spirit of God ses these !ords to emph"si#e the perm"nen$e of the
m"rri"%e bond& 'he stren%th of their nion offers m"n "nd !ife %re"t (o)& Bt it "lso thre"tens
nspe"*"ble p"in+ if so deep " bond shold be torn "p"rt& ,ere+ "s so often in or lives+ !e need
the hope bro%ht b) p"tien$e "nd $omfort of the S$riptres -.om& 15:4/&
'od") there is h"rdl) "n)one !ho does not *no! the p"in of divor$e 0 if not person"ll)+
then in the lives of friends "nd f"mil)& For over ten )e"rs 1 h"ve been std)in% the bibli$"l te2ts
th"t $on$ern divor$e+ in "n effort to soothe m) o!n perple2it) !ith he"ven3s perspe$tive on the
sb(e$t& 4t first+ 1 did not im"%ine th"t " boo* !old be ne$ess"r)& Srel)+ 1 tho%ht+ these te2ts
h"ve been !or*ed over "nd over+ "nd the "ns!ers m"de "v"il"ble in $ontless p"mphlets+
sermons+ "nd "rti$les&
1 fond "bnd"nt pblished opinions on divor$e& Some !riters+ li*e Mrr") 1951 "nd 4d"ms
1960+ hold " thinl)7dis%ised brief for their $hr$h3s $reed& 8thers+ li*e 9enh"m 19:9+ offer
brilli"nt insi%hts on isol"ted p"ss"%es+ bt do not inte%r"te their observ"tions !ith other bibli$"l
d"t"& Still others+ li*e ,eth 1962+ provide helpfl smm"ries of the $on$lsions of e"rlier
s$hol"rs&
4 nmber of stri*in% insi%hts emer%ed from m) std) of the bibli$"l te2ts+ insi%hts th"t other
"thors seem to h"ve missed& 9hen 1 sh"red these !ith ;hristi"n friends+ the) fond them
helpfl+ "nd r%ed me to sh"re them !ith " !ider pbli$&
'he fl"vor of this boo* refle$ts these ori%ins&
< 1t is "n "ttempt to %ive e2e%eti$"l help !ith " pr"$ti$"l problem& 'hs it is "ddressed
prim"ril) to people !ith responsibilit) for ministr)& 'he) !ill !el$ome its emph"sis on
"ppli$"tion+ "nd not be pt off b) some de%ree of det"il in e2e%eti$"l "r%ment&
< 1 find th"t for people !ho do not *no! the v"rios s$hol"rl) vie!s on "n isse+ lon%
reft"tions of those !ith !hom 1 dis"%ree tend to $onfse "nd not to $l"rif)& So 1 strive for "n
inform"l st)le+ presentin% m) $on$lsions "nd the re"sons for them "s simpl) "nd "s
positivel) "s 1 $"n& 'o m"*e the boo* sefl to re"ders !ith bro"der e2posre+ 1 "ppend to
sever"l $h"pters notes de"lin% !ith te$hni$"l =estions+ bt these "re hi%hl) sele$tive "nd do
not pretend to be "n en$)$lopedi$ response to ever) position th"t h"s been "dvo$"ted thro%h
the $entries&
< 'he boo* is e2e%eti$"l+ not e2perienti"l& >o !ill se"r$h in v"in for $"se stdies& 'here "re
plent) of those "v"il"ble "mon% )or friends "nd "$="int"n$es+ if )o h"ve the $omp"ssion
to re"$h ot "nd help& 'he e2istin% liter"tre is !e"* e2e%eti$"ll)+ "nd it is this %"p th"t 1
see* to fill b) $on$entr"tin% on "n"l)sis of the te2t&
< 1 "$$ept the Bible "s the 9ord of the one God+ !ho $"nnot den) himself& 'here is $le"rl) "
pro%ression "s one moves thro%h the histor) of revel"tion+ "nd God h"s been ple"sed to
impose v"r)in% e$onomies on his people in different "%es& Still+ !e "re not thro%h std)in%
"n) one p"ss"%e ntil !e nderst"nd ho! it fits to%ether !ith the other bibli$"l te2ts on the
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
s"me sb(e$t& 'hs the boo* tre"ts ever) bibli$"l te2t th"t 1 feel mi%ht shed li%ht on the
=estion+ in$ldin% some th"t "re not s"ll) $onsidered in dis$ssions of divor$e&
< 'he $entr"l fo$s of m) std) h"s been the te2t itself+ not the opinions "nd $omments of
others "bot the te2t& 4s " reslt+ referen$es "ppe"r onl) in the te$hni$"l notes+ "nd there onl)
sele$tivel)& 9here 1 *no!in%l) repe"t the $on$lsions of others+ 1 %ive "ppropri"te $redit+ bt
1 do not %"r"ntee th"t "ll the other $on$lsions "re ori%in"l !ith me& 'he) "re+ ho!ever+
nf"mili"r "mon% ev"n%eli$"l believers tod")+ "nd 1 "m more $on$erned to pbli$i#e them
th"n to tr"$e their histor)&
< 'he std) h"s been b"sed on pblished ,ebre! "nd Gree* te2ts of the Bible+ not onl) on
tr"nsl"tions& ?nless other!ise noted+ "ll Bible =ot"tions in the boo* "re m) o!n renderin%+
b"sed on Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia in the 8ld 'est"ment "nd ,od%es "nd F"rst"d 1962
in the @e!& 'e2t"l v"ri"nts do not "ffe$t the m"in $on$lsions re"$hed+ "nd re"ders !ho
prefer other editions shold find the "r%ments n"ffe$ted& M) tr"nsl"tions fre=entl)
emph"si#e spe$ifi$ e2e%eti$"l points+ "nd shold not be vie!ed "s $ompetin% !ith st"nd"rd
tr"nsl"tions of the Bible& 1n f"$t+ re"ders m") find m) points $le"rer if the) $omp"re m)
renderin%s !ith more tr"dition"l versions&
'he boo* h"s three p"rts&
1&Sever"l introd$tor) $h"pters srve) the entire std) "nd l") " fond"tion b) e2"minin% the
bibli$"l $on$ept of m"rri"%e&
2&'he $entr"l portion of the boo* e2"mines the m"in te2ts th"t be"r on the =estion of divor$e+
one b) one+ in their histori$"l order&
3&4 fin"l se$tion e2"mines some pr"$ti$"l =estions th"t m") "rise&
'he stdies th"t led to this boo* be%"n in the 19:0As& M"n) friends offered helpfl $omments
on portions of the boo* or on le$tres b"sed on it& Mrs& Fr"n$is Be* -Ceeli"n/ $onverted the
boo* from the ori%in"l P; 8tline files into Mi$rosoft 9ord& 1 "m p"rti$l"rl) indebted to ;)ril
,o$*in%+ Bri"n Sietsem"+ "nd m) !ife 4nit" for their $"refl re"din% "nd $omments on the
entire !or*& Mrs& 4l"n 4rmstron% -D"thi/ %"ve sefl $omments+ "nd s%%ested "nd prsed
possible pblishers& M) immedi"te f"mil)+ in$ldin% m) son Gene+ m) !ife+ "nd her mother
1s"bell" @o!lin+ inspired this !or* "nd r%ed it on+ tho%h it often sppl"nted their person"l
interests& 'o them 1 offer m) spe$i"l th"n*s&
4nn 4rbor+ M1 ,& E"n F)*e P"rn"*
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Table of %o!te!t&
P4.' 1:
1@'.8F?;'18@: 4@ 8EG.E1G9&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&6
;,4P'G. 1
PCG4SG .G4F ',1S ;,4P'G.&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&9
1&1 'he Problem of Fo$trine "nd Pr"$ti$e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&9
1&2 P"l3s Soltion to the Problem&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&10
1&3 P"l3s P"ttern "nd 'his Boo*&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&12
;,4P'G. 2
4 PGGD 4' ;8M1@G ;8@;C?S18@S&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&13
2&1 9h"t is " M"rri"%eH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&13
2&2 Bible P"ss"%es "bot Fivor$e "nd .em"rri"%e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&15
2&3 Pr"$ti$"l Bestions&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&16
2&4 4 Smm"r) Prin$iple&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&19
;,4P'G. 3
9,4' 1S 4 M4..14GGH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&21
3&1 Bibli$"l C"n%"%e for M"rri"%e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&21
3&2 Glements of " 're M"rri"%e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&22
3&3 're M"rri"%es "nd ,"pp) M"rri"%es&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&2:
3&4 Bibli$"l C"n%"%e for M"rri"%e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&29
3&5 1s " M"rri"%e " ;oven"ntH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&35
3&5 4re Bro*en ;oven"nts FissolvedH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&3:
P4.' 11:
1@'G.P.G'4'18@: ',G B1BC1;4C 'GI'S 8@ F1E8.;G&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&40
;,4P'G. 4
',G C49 8F M8SGS 4@F F8.@1;4'18@&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&41
4&1 Srve) of Fet& 22:13729&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&41
4&2 4 ;loser Coo*&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&42
4&3 '!o Bestions&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&45
4&4 '!o 1mport"nt Prin$iples&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&4:
;,4P'G. 5
',G C49 8F M8SGS 4@F F1E8.;G&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&46
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5&1 '!o Eie!s of Fet& 24:174&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&46
5&2 ;hoosin% Bet!een the Eie!s&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&49
5&3 'he 1mpli$"tions of JFefiledKin Fet& 24:3&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&55
5&4 9enh"m3s G2pl"n"tion of Fet& 24&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&55
5&5 '!o Bestions on Ler& 3:1&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&55
;,4P'G. 5
',G C49 8F M8SGS 4@F ;8@;?B1@4GG&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&56
5&1 Some .e$rrin% 'hemes&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&56
5&2 'he C"! of the ,ebre! ;on$bine&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&56
5&3 'he C"! of the ;"ptive ;on$bine&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&50
5&4 Sl"ve79ives "nd Fivor$e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&51
5&5 'he 'r"nsl"tion of G2od& 21:6&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&52
5&5 'he 'r"nsl"tion of Fet& 21:10714&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&54
5&: ;on$bines in the 8ld 'est"ment&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&54
;,4P'G. :
9,G@ G8F P?' 494> 1S.4GC&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&59
:&1 God3s M"rri"%e to his People&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&59
:&2 ,ose"3s 4$$ont&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&:2
:&3 Leremi"h3s 4$$ont&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&:4
:&4 1s"i"h3s 4$$ont&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&:5
:&5 G2pl"inin% the Met"phor of Pttin% 4!")&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&:6
;,4P'G. 6
GM.43S F1E8.;G ;8?.'&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&61
6&1 'he ,istori$"l Settin%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&61
6&2 9h) does G#r" ?r%e Sep"r"tionH &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&63
6&3 Mi2ed M"rri"%es in the @e! 'est"ment&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&65
6&4 9h) do G#r" "nd the @e! 'est"ment FifferH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&6:
;,4P'G. 9
F1E8.;G 1@ 8?. C8.F3S SG.M8@ 8@ ',G M8?@'&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&69
9&1 'he P##le of M"tt& 5:32&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&69
9&2 'he Cord is ;orre$tin% "n Grror&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&90
9&3 ',G C8.F 4@S9G.S 91', 4 PC4> 8@ 98.FS&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&92
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9&4 F?.',G. GE1FG@;G F8. NFGP4.'N O NF1GN&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&95
9&5 8ther G2pl"n"tions of the Forni$"tion ;l"se&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&95
9&5 'he Cord Less3 ?se of Fi%res&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&96
;,4P'G. 10
8?. C8.F3S ;8@EG.S4'18@S 8@ F1E8.;G&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&101
10&1 'he Settin%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&101
10&2 'he ;onvers"tion !ith the Ph"risees&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&101
10&3 'he ;omments to the Fis$iples&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&103
10&4 4nother ;onvers"tion !ith the Ph"risees&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&104
;,4P'G. 11
S?MM4.1M1@G ',G C8.F3S 'G4;,1@G 8@ F1E8.;G&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&105
11&1 1dentif)in% the Pie$es of the S")in%s&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&105
11&2 1nterpretin% the Pie$es of the S")in%s&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&10:
;,4P'G. 12
P4?C3S 'G4;,1@G 8@ F1E8.;G&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&109
12&1 4 ;h"pter for Covers&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&109
12&2 'he Sep"r"tion P"r"%r"ph&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&112
12&3 Eerse 15 4@F Eerse 39&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&114
12&4 Foes P"l 4llo! Fivor$e "nd .em"rri"%eH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&115
12&5 4d"ms3 4r%ments from 1 ;orinthi"ns :&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&115
P4.' 111:
4PPC1;4'18@: P.4;'1;4C M4''G.S &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&120
;,4P'G. 13
S8MG P.4;'1;4C B?GS'18@S&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&121
13&1 1s Fivor$e Gver LstifiedH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&122
13&2 M") Fivor$ed People .em"rr)H&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&123
13&3 M") " Fivor$ed ;ople be .e$on$iledH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&123
13&4 4re M"rri"%es bet!een Believers "nd ?nbelievers Bindin%H&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&124
13&5 ;"n M"rri"%e Problems be J?nder the BloodKH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&124
;,4P'G. 14
S,8?CF SG;8@F M4..14GGS BG F1SS8CEGFH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&125
14&1 9h"t do the Gospels S") "bot the Se$ond M"rri"%eH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&125
14&2 9h"t does .om& ::3 S") "bot the Se$ond M"rri"%eH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&12:
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14&3 9h"t Prin$iples $"n !e Gle"n from 8ther S$riptresH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&126
14&4 4 Fi$titios ;"se ,istor)&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&130
14&5 'he Present 'ense: Gener"l or ;ontinosH&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&132
;,4P'G. 15
',G F1E8.;GF PG.S8@ 1@ ',G ;,?.;,&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&133
15&1 Fivor$e "nd For%iveness&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&133
15&2 9h"t " Fivor$ed Person M") @ot Fo in the ;hr$h&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&134
15&3 8ther .estri$tions on Glders+ Fe"$ons+ "nd 9ido!s&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&135
15&4 9h"t " Fivor$ed Person M") Fo in the ;hr$h&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&135
15&5 'he Penitent in 2 ;orinthi"ns 2&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&136
15&5 8ther G2pl"n"tions of J8ne79om"n M"nK&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&139
15&: G#e*iel 44:22&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&140
;,4P'G. 15
P,>S1;4C 4B?SG 4@F F1E8.;G&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&142
15&1 Fomesti$ Eiolen$e is 9ron%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&142
15&2 Eiolen$e is @ot Gronds for Fivor$e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&143
15&3 .emedies for Fomesti$ Eiolen$e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&145
;,4P'G. 1:
G8F D@89S ',G 94> 8?'&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&149
;,4P'G. 16
SGCG;' B1BC18G.4P,>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&153
16&1 4BB.GE14'18@S&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&153
16&2 8',G. .GFG.G@;GS&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&153
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
PART I:
INTRODUCTION: AN OVERVIEW
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 1
PLEASE READ THIS CHAPTER
1f )o h"ve opened this boo* !ith " p"rti$l"r problem in mind+ )o m") be tempted to s*ip the
first fe! $h"pters "nd move ri%ht into the me"t&
Ple"se let the rest !"it ntil )o h"ve re"d this $h"pter& 1t otlines the philosoph) behind the
rest of the boo*& >o3ll be m$h better "ble to m"*e se of the det"iled stdies th"t follo! on$e
)o nderst"nd the method th"t lies behind them&
Some people "re ver) theoreti$"l "bot their f"ith& The) emph"si#e te$hni$"lities of Bible
std)+ bt it doesn3t seem to h"ve m$h effe$t on their lives& 8thers t"*e " pr"$ti$"l "ppro"$h to
;hristi"n livin%+ "nd "re imp"tient !ith det"iled e2pl"n"tions of ho! !e *no! !h"t the Bible
re"ll) me"ns&
'his $h"pter e2pl"ins !h) neither of these positions is "de="te& 9e
des$ribe the problem of *eepin% both do$trine "nd pr"$ti$e in fo$sP
std) P"l3s soltion to the problemP "nd
otline ho! P"l3s p"ttern "ffe$ts this boo*&
1.1 The Problem of Doctr!e "!# Pr"ctce
>o "re interested in "n intensel) pr"$ti$"l sb(e$t+ the sb(e$t of divor$e& Perh"ps )o "re
sfferin% in " str"ined m"rri"%e+ "nd "re loo*in% for " !") ot& >o m") h"ve loved ones !ith
f"mil) problems+ "nd )o !"nt to be "ble to help them& >o m") h"ve p"stor"l responsibilities
for " %rop of ;hristi"ns+ "nd need bibli$"l "ns!ers to their =estions "bot divor$e "nd
rem"rri"%e& Gven if )o "re onl) $rios "bot these topi$s+ it is prob"ble th"t someone $lose to
)o is divor$ed or is $ontempl"tin% divor$e&
Fivor$e+ tho%h+ is onl) p"rt of )or interest& >o "re "lso interested in the Bible& >o
believe th"t the Bible is relev"nt to ho! !e live+ "nd )o !"nt to brin% th"t relev"n$e to be"r on
f"mil) problems&
9h"t is the rel"tion bet!een the S$riptres "nd d"il) $ond$tH ,o! $"n the std) of "n
"n$ient boo* %ide t!entieth7$entr) de$isions "bot divor$e "nd rem"rri"%eH
'he t"s* of mer%in% theolo%) "nd pr"$ti$e is " little li*e m"*in% s"l"d dressin% from oil "nd
vine%"r& 8il "nd vine%"r tend to sep"r"te from one "nother+ even !hen the) "re in the s"me
$ont"iner& ;onst"nt effort is needed to *eep them mi2ed& 1t3s not eno%h for the $hef to sh"*e the
bottle "nd pl"$e it on the t"ble& Gver) diner mst sh"*e it+ too+ or else be s"tisfied !ith pre oil or
str"i%ht vine%"r&
Deepin% do$trine "nd pr"$ti$e in step !ith one "nother "lso re=ires $onst"nt effort& 1t is e"s)
to slip into "n "bstr"$t e2position of theolo%) th"t i%nores d"il) life& 1t is "lso e"s) to live or
lives b) intition "nd emotion+ doin% !h"tever seems pr"$ti$"l "t the moment+ !ithot "s*in%
!h"t the Bible s")s& 'hese e2tremes "re li*e nmi2ed s"l"d dressin%& Fortn"tel)+ the Bible itself
instr$ts s ho! to *eep do$trine "nd "$tion !ell mi2ed&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1.$ P"%l&' Sol%to! to the Problem
P"l3s !ords to 'imoth) in 2 'im& 3:1571: s%%est " fr"me!or* for "ppl)in% the S$riptres to
pr"$ti$"l life&
Every Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for discipline in righteousness,
that the man of God might be
complete,
thoroughly equipped
for every good work.
'his p"ss"%e sets forth the source of the S$riptres+ the goal for !hi$h God %"ve them+ "nd
the means of "ppl)in% them to re"$h th"t %o"l&
1.$.1 The So%rce of the Scr(t%re'
P"l des$ribes the S$riptres "s N%iven b) inspir"tion of God&N 1t isses forth from God "s does
bre"th from " person& ,is Spirit $"rries "lon% the !riters:
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being borne
along by the oly Spirit !" #et. $%"$&.
Behind the m"n) diverse hm"n "thors of the Bible there is one ltim"te sor$e+ God& ,e is
its "thor in " !") th"t he is not the "thor of other boo*s&
'his $onfession h"s some pr"$ti$"l impli$"tions for s&
< 'ho%h m"n) people h"d " h"nd in prod$in% the Bible+ it still m"*es sense for s to s")+
NGod s")s &&&N
< 9hen !e first re"d some portions of the Bible+ the) seem to $l"sh !ith one "nother& Be$"se
God is the "thor of them "ll+ !e $"nnot e2pl"in $ontr"stin% p"ss"%es "s refle$tin%
dis"%reements "mon% their !riters& 1nste"d+ !e $ontine to std) them+ $omp"rin% them !ith
one "nother "nd !ith other p"ss"%es+ ntil !e $"n nderst"nd them in h"rmon) !ith one
"nother& God is not the "thor of $onfsion& 'he best interpret"tion is the interpret"tion th"t
fits "ll the te2ts&
< 'he Bible is not (st " $olle$tion of interestin% "ne$dotes "bot people3s e2perien$e& 1t is
God3s revel"tion+ st"tin% the desires of or ;re"tor "nd Cord& ,e e2pe$ts s to follo! it+ "nd
!e !ill h"ve to e2pl"in orselves to him if !e do not&
1.$.$ The )o"l of the Scr(t%re'
'he ltim"te prpose of the Bible is
that the man of God might be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he phr"se Nthoro%hl) e=ippedN tr"nsl"tes " verb th"t Gree* !riters se to des$ribe "n oil
press "$$omp"nied !ith its "$$essories+ or " ro!bo"t !ith its o"rs& 'he Bible is the one essenti"l
implement th"t the m"n of God needs to do his !or*& 1t is pr"$ti$"l+ not (st theoreti$"l& 1t tells s
not onl) !h"t to believe+ bt ho! to live& 1t en"bles s to be$ome m"ster $r"ftsmen in the
!or*shop of life&
1.$.* The +e"!' of Re"ch!, the )o"l
P"l be%ins !ith inspired S$riptres+ "nd ends !ith people e=ipped for d"il) life& ,ere "re the
oil "nd vine%"r th"t !e !"nt to mi2& P"l %ives s " for7step re$ipe "t the end of verse 15:
Every Scripture ... is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for discipline in righteousness.
'he first step in "ppl)in% the S$riptres to life is #octr!e+ or te"$hin%& 'e"$hin% is the
s)stem"ti$ present"tion of bibli$"l $on$epts+ either in spee$h or in !ritin%+ b) spe$i"ll) %ifted
people !hom God h"s %iven to the $hr$h&
4fter do$trine+ "nd "s " reslt of it+ $omes re(roof& 9e "re reproved !hen !e see somethin%
in or lives th"t is not "s it shold be& .eproof is pointin% ot " problem+ reve"lin% " fl"!+
shinin% " li%ht on " blemish th"t h"s been hidden&
Fis$overin% defi$ien$ies is onl) the be%innin%& 'he Bible "lso helps s to correct them& 1t
sho!s s ho! to "void or errors+ "nd %ives positive steps !e $"n t"*e "%"inst them&
Fin"ll)+ the Bible is profit"ble for #'c(l!e ! r,hteo%'!e''& 'he !ord Ndis$iplineN implies
repetitive tr"inin%& 9e need to he"r the Bible3s lessons over "nd over to stren%then p"tterns of
beh"vior th"t !ill "void the sins of the p"st& 1t is s"ll) not eno%h for s to he"r " trth on$e&
9e need repetition+ "nd often from different sor$es+ to set the lesson firml) in pl"$e& 'hs P"l
$"n send his most theolo%i$"l letter to " $hr$h th"t is "lre"d) Nfilled !ith "ll *no!led%eN -.om&
15:14/+ be$"se he *no!s the need to NremindN them -.om& 15:15/&
P"l $onfirms the pr"$ti$"l orient"tion of the S$riptres in his e2hort"tion to 'imoth) in the
ne2t $h"pter:
' charge you therefore before God ...% #reach the word. (e ready in season, out of season. )eprove,
rebuke, e*hort with all longsuffering and doctrine !" Tim. +%$,"&.
'his e2hort"tion offers $lose p"r"llels to the for benefits of the S$riptres des$ribed in 3:15&
First+ be$"se the S$riptres "re profit"ble for s)stem"ti$ std) "nd e2position+ 'imoth)
shold pre"$h them in this !")&
Every Scripture ... is profitable for ,-.T)'/E !0%$1&. #reach the word. ... with all ... ,-.T)'/E !+%"&.
'he S$riptres "re effe$tive "s " se"r$hli%ht+ to point ot people3s sin& 'imoth) shold shine
this li%ht !here there "re problems+ r"ther th"n dimmin% it to m"*e people $omfort"ble&
Every Scripture ... is profitable ... for )E#)--F !0%$1&. #reach the word. ... )E#)-2E, )E(34E ... !+%"&.
1n e2hortin% people+ 'imoth) offers pr"$ti$"l instr$tion "nd en$or"%ement for $orre$tin%
the errors th"t reproof h"s dis$losed&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Every Scripture ... is profitable f5 for .-))E.T'-/ !0%$1&. #reach the word. ... E6-)T !+%"&.
People need to he"r the S$riptres over "nd over "s the Spirit dis$iplines or tr"ins them in
%odl) livin%& 'he one !ho pre"$hes those S$riptres shold be $onst"ntl) st"ndin% b)+ re"d) to
help !ith this tr"inin%& 'imoth) needs lon%sfferin% for this !or*+ be$"se tr"inin% involves
repetition+ "nd the reslts m") be slo! to "ppe"r&
Every Scripture ... is profitable ... for ,'S.'#7'/E in
righteousness !0%$1&.
#reach the word. ... (e ready '/ SE8S-/, -3T -F
SE8S-/, ... with 877 7-/GS3FFE)'/G ... !+%"&.
4 s*illed $r"ftsm"n *no!s his tools "nd !or*s !ith them+ r"ther th"n "%"inst them& 'imoth)
is li*e " $r"ftsm"n+ "nd the Bible is his tool& God h"s desi%ned the Bible for do$trine+ reproof+
$orre$tion+ "nd tr"inin%& 'hs 'imoth)3s ministr) shold be m"r*ed b) " do$trin"l fond"tion+
!illin%ness to identif) sin "nd sho! ho! to $orre$t it+ "nd p"tien$e in the pro$ess of dis$ipline&
1.* P"%l&' P"tter! "!# Th' -oo.
'he rest of this boo* refle$ts in sever"l !")s the bleprint for "ppl)in% the S$riptres th"t P"l
%ives 'imoth)&
P"l moves from do$trine to pr"$ti$e+ r"ther th"n the other !") "rond& F"mil) problems "re
intensel) pr"$ti$"l+ "nd tend to over!helm the emotions of those !ho mst $onfront them& 1t is
temptin% to or%"ni#e the dis$ssion topi$"ll)+ "rond $"se stdies of t)pi$"l f"mil) problems&
'his "ppro"$h rns the ris* of losin% si%ht of bibli$"l pre$epts in " storm of pr"$ti$"l $on$erns&
1nste"d+ !e e2pond+ one "t " time+ sever"l bibli$"l te2ts th"t dis$ss divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e&
8r first t"s* is to nderst"nd these te2ts "nd their rel"tionship to one "nother&
Fo$trine is not eno%h b) itself& 1t mst le"d to reproof "nd $orre$tion& So or std) mst be
p"stor"l "s !ell "s "$"demi$& 9e !ill *eep in mind some =estions th"t "rise in modern f"milies+
"nd point ot !here the bibli$"l te2t le"ds to "ns!ers& Some of these "ns!ers to$h on person"l
isses+ "nd m") le"d to emotion"l p"in& 9e d"re not let the fe"r of p"in trn s "!") from
$onsiderin% s$h $on$lsions& 4 %re"ter d"n%er is th"t+ for fe"r of $onfli$t+ !e !ill stop "t
do$trine "nd ne%le$t reproof "nd $orre$tion& 1f !e do stop before dis$ssin% pr"$ti$"l
impli$"tions+ !e short7$ir$it the !or* of the S$riptres in or lives&
'he $)$le of "ppl)in% the Bible to life $on$ldes !ith Ndis$ipline in ri%hteosness&N 1t is
seldom eno%h to s") somethin% on$e& 9e !ill repe"t some themes often in the p"%es "he"d+
from sever"l different st"ndpoints& G"$h time !e re$onsider " prin$iple+ !ith God3s help !e !ill
nderst"nd it " little better "nd be$ome " little more s*illfl in follo!in% it in d"il) life&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER $
A PEE/ AT CO+IN) CONCLUSIONS
9e see* "n inte%r"ted nderst"ndin% of the bibli$"l divor$e te2ts+ not (st " $olle$tion of
individ"l observ"tions& 'his %lob"l perspe$tive $omes from *eepin% "ll of the p"ss"%es in mind
"s !e std) e"$h one in det"il& >o $old re"d the boo* thro%h t!i$e+ on$e to %et " %ener"l ide"
of !h"t e"$h te2t te"$hes "nd " se$ond time to inte%r"te th"t %ener"l $onte2t !ith the det"ils of
e"$h std)& 1nste"d+ to s"ve )o time+ this $h"pter smm"ri#es the $on$lsions th"t sbse=ent
$h"pters !ill develop more ri%orosl)& 1t r"ises the isses th"t the rest of the boo* "ddresses+ "nd
lets )o pee* "t the "ns!ers !e !ill find&
1t is e"s) to misnderst"nd " $h"pter li*e this one& 1 "m not settin% ot "ssmptions on !hi$h
the rest of the std) rests+ or de$l"rin% " pre$on$eived $reed th"t the l"ter $h"pters defend& 'he
prin$iples otlined here "re the $on$lsions of the std)+ not its fond"tion& Co%i$"ll)+ this is the
l"st $h"pter of the boo*& 1t $omes first be$"se 1 !"nt )o to nderst"nd the l"ter dis$ssions+
"nd srprise hinders nderst"ndin%& 1f )o *no! !h"t is $omin%+ )o !ill be "ble to nderst"nd
it better !hen it "rrives&
8r smm"r) follo!s the str$tre of the rest of the boo*&
'he $h"pter "fter this one is the l"st $h"pter of P"rt 1+ the 1ntrod$tion of the boo*& 1t
see*s " definition of m"rri"%e+ so th"t !e $"n *no! !hi$h $oples NGod h"s (oined
to%ether&N
'he nine $h"pters in P"rt 11 std) the bibli$"l te2ts on divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e& 9e tre"t
them in the order in !hi$h the) !ere !ritten+ so th"t !e $"n tr"$e God3s nfoldin%
revel"tion on the sb(e$t&
'he l"st five $h"pters+ in P"rt 111+ dis$ss some pr"$ti$"l topi$s on the b"sis of the
$on$lsions dr"!n in P"rt 11 from the te2ts&
$.1 Wh"t ' " +"rr",e0
'he bi% =estion in this boo* is+ N9h"t does the Bible s") "bot divor$e "nd rem"rri"%eHN 9e
$"n h"ndle this =estion more e"sil) if !e bre"* it do!n into sm"ller =estions& 9e $old "s*+
N9h"t does the Bible s") "bot divor$eHN Gven this m") be too "mbitios& 9e mi%ht !"nt to
st"rt !ith " =estion of definition: N9h"t is " divor$eHN
'he l"st =estion seems e"s)& Fivor$e is " le%"l "$tion dissolvin% the m"rri"%e of t!o people&
'his le"ds s to " more b"si$ =estion& '!o people $"nnot be divor$ed !ithot first bein%
m"rried& So it is n"tr"l to "s*+ N9h"t is m"rri"%eHN 9e dis$ss this =estion briefl) here+ "nd in
more det"il in the ne2t $h"pter&
Gven this simple =estion h"s "ns!ers "t sever"l levels&
< People sometimes $onsider themselves m"rried to one "nother (st b) livin% to%ether+
!hether the st"te re$o%ni#es their nion or not&
< 'he st"te+ in trn+ de$l"res people to be m"rried or not+ s"ll) !ithot "s*in% !h"t God
thin*s of the m"tter&
< 'he Cord Less t"%ht th"t there is " level of m"rri"%e th"t God re$o%ni#es+ "nd even r"tifies:
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
9hat therefore God has :oined together, let not man put asunder !;att. $<%1&.
Sin$e !e !"nt to *no! God3s !ill "bot divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e+ !e need " definition of the
third level of m"rri"%e& 8r =estion be$omes+ N9hen "re t!o people (oined to%ether b) GodHN
'o "ns!er this =estion+ !e !ill std) sever"l e2"mples of m"rri"%e in the Bible+ "nd "s* !h"t
$h"r"$teristi$s the) sh"re&
'he Bible re%"rds m"rri"%e "s the onl) le%itim"te $onte2t for ph)si$"l nion bet!een m"n
"nd !om"n& Ph)si$"l nion+ tho%h+ is not eno%h to m"*e " $ople m"n "nd !ife before God&
'he Cord Less m"*es this $le"r to the !om"n "t the !ell of S)$h"r !hen he tells her th"t the
m"n !ith !hom she is presentl) livin% is not her hsb"nd -Lohn 4:16/& 1n the ne2t $h"pter+ !e
!ill see th"t "t le"st three thin%s "re tre of nions th"t the Bible re$o%ni#es "s m"rri"%e&
< 'he m"n "nd !om"n enter into " $oven"nt or $ommitment to one "nother&
< 'he) m"*e this $ommitment in *eepin% !ith the st"nd"rds of their so$iet) "nd $ltre&
< 'he) nite ph)si$"ll)&
'hese elements form the !e"*est bond th"t God r"tifies "s m"rri"%e& 'he) do not %"r"ntee
th"t the m"rri"%e is ple"sin% to God& 4 m"rri"%e m") meet these $onditions "nd still viol"te the
st"nd"rds of God3s !ord& For inst"n$e+ " believer sins if she *no!in%l) m"rries "n nbeliever& 1f
th"t nion meets these three $onditions+ tho%h+ God h"s (oined them to%ether& 1f the m"n "nd
!om"n see* to dissolve th"t m"rri"%e+ the bibli$"l te"$hin% on divor$e "pplies to them&
'ho%h ph)si$"l nion is not the onl) element of m"rri"%e+ it is "n import"nt one+ "nd !e
!ill refer to it fre=entl)& 1n dis$ssin% nl"!fl nion+ !e !ill se the terms Nforni$"tionN "nd
N"dlter)N in *eepin% !ith their bibli$"l s"%e& N4dlter)N des$ribes " nion in !hi$h "t le"st one
p"rtner belon%s to someone else& 1t "l!")s involves nf"ithflness to m"rri"%e& NForni$"tionN
des$ribes "n) nl"!fl nion+ !hether or not the p"rti$ip"nts "re bein% nf"ithfl to their
sposes& Gver) $"se of "dlter) is " $"se of forni$"tion+ bt some $"ses of forni$"tion -s$h "s
prem"rit"l nion bet!een sin%le people/ "re not $"ses of "dlter)&
'he definition of m"rri"%e th"t !e h"ve otlined h"s import"nt pr"$ti$"l $onse=en$es&
< Prem"rit"l nion does not trn into m"rri"%e if " $ople persists in it for " lon% time+ even if
the) "re $ommitted to e"$h other& 'he) "re members of so$iet)& 8ne of the fn$tions th"t
God h"s %iven so$iet) is to re$o%ni#e "nd re%l"te the nion of m"n "nd !ife& ;hristi"ns "re
to be sb(e$t to the $ivil "thorities -.om& 13/+ "nd so shold follo! their rles for m"rri"%e&
< @ot ever) sep"r"tion of " m"n "nd " !om"n livin% to%ether is divor$e& Fivor$e is the
bre"*p of " m"rri"%e+ "nd is forbidden thro%hot the S$riptres& 4 nion th"t is not
m"rri"%e+ on the other h"nd+ shold be dissolved&
< P"l te"$hes in .om& ::3 th"t " !om"n !ho rem"rries !hile her first hsb"nd is "live
$ommits "dlter)& 1f ph)si$"l nion "lone !ere m"rri"%e+ " ;hristi"n !hose p"st life in$ldes
forni$"tion $old never m"rr) "n)one else !ithot $ommittin% "dlter) "%"inst the first
p"rtner& Be$"se ph)si$"l nion "lone is not m"rri"%e+ it does not m"*e " ftre m"rri"%e
"dlteros& 4 ;hristi"n !ho h"s repented of previos forni$"tion "nd fors"*en it+ "nd !ho
h"s not m"rried " person still livin%+ m") m"rr) !ithot $ommittin% "dlter)&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
$.$ -ble P"''",e' "bo%t D1orce "!# Rem"rr",e
4fter !e sbst"nti"te or definition of m"rri"%e in the ne2t $h"pter+ !e !ill !or* thro%h
p"ss"%es in five m"(or bodies of revel"tion th"t be"r on the =estion of divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e&
'he five portions of the Bible th"t !e !ill std) in P"rt 11 "re
< the Mos"i$ C"!P
< the Prophets+ represented b) ,ose"+ 1s"i"h+ "nd Leremi"hP
< G#r" in the period "fter the B"b)loni"n $"ptivit)P
< the te"$hin% of the Cord LessP
< "nd P"l3s instr$tion&
$.$.1 Doe' +o'e' "((ro1e #1orce0
;h"pters 5 thro%h 6 "n"l)#e p"ss"%es from the C"! of Moses th"t re%l"te divor$e "nd
rem"rri"%e in 1sr"el&
+o'e' "!# Immor"lt2 3 Feteronom) 22 otlines the $onse=en$es of forni$"tion -in$ldin%
"dlter)/ in 1sr"el& 1t "l!")s pnishes "dlter) b) e2e$tin% the %ilt) p"rties& Be$"se
rem"rri"%e is so m$h " p"rt of the divor$e =estion tod")+ !e note !ith interest th"t this pen"lt)
h"s the "ddition"l effe$t of termin"tin% the m"rri"%e th"t the "dlter) viol"ted&
Feteronom) 22 is "lso import"nt for nderst"ndin% Loseph3s "$tions in M"tthe! 1+ !hen he
finds th"t M"r) is !ith $hild ot of !edlo$*& 9e !ill see th"t her $"se is "mbi%os in the li%ht
of Feteronom) 22+ "nd Loseph3s "$tions refle$t th"t "mbi%it)&
+o'e' "!# D1orce 3 Moses l")s do!n $ert"in l"!s "bot divor$e in Fet& 24:174& 4s these
l"!s "re tr"nsl"ted in m"n) versions of the Bible+ the) seem to permit divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e&
For inst"n$e+ the 4thori#ed Eersion renders them+
9hen a man has taken a wife, and ... he hath found some uncleanness in her, then let him write her a
bill of divorcement ... 8nd ... she may go and be another man=s wife !,eut. "+%$>", 82&.
'his tr"nsl"tion+ !hile possible lin%isti$"ll)+ is not the best& 'here is "nother renderin% th"t
is %r"mm"ti$"ll) prefer"ble& 'he Cord Less endorses this "ltern"te tr"nsl"tion in his te"$hin% on
divor$e in the Gospels& Moses is not tellin% dis%rntled hsb"nds ho! to %et rid of their !ives&
,e is re$o%ni#in% th"t divor$e does o$$r+ "nd is tellin% people !h"t the) m") "nd m") not do "s
" reslt&
1n p"rti$l"r+ Moses te"$hes th"t
1F " $ople is divor$ed+ "nd
1F the !ife rem"rries+ "nd
1F th"t se$ond nion ends+
!hether b) de"th
or b) divor$e+
',G@ the ori%in"l $ople m") not rem"rr)&
+o'e' "!# Sl"1e W1e' 0 '!o p"ss"%es in the Mos"i$ C"! des$ribe nions bet!een m"sters
"nd sl"ves& 1n one $"se+ the m"ster pr$h"ses " fem"le sl"ve of 1sr"elite birth -G2od& 21::711/+
!hile in "nother+ the sl"ve is " $"ptive of !"r -Fet& 21:10714/& 1n both $"ses+ the C"!
"nti$ip"tes th"t the m"ster m") lose interest in the %irl& 1f this h"ppens+ he m") not simpl) sell
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
her+ bt mst "llo! her to be redeemed+ or even set her free !ithot p")ment+ dependin% on the
$ir$mst"n$es&
1n these $"ses+ the m"n h"s obli%"tions th"t he does not h"ve to!"rd other sl"ves& 'he !om"n
is no lon%er his propert)+ to be bo%ht "nd sold "s he ple"ses& >et she is not fll) " !ife+ either&
'ho%h Moses never ses the !ord of her+ !e !ill see th"t she is " $on$bine& Moses does not
en$or"%e s$h " rel"tion+ or the $"s"l !") in !hi$h the m"ster loses interest in his sl"ve&
Be$"se these thin%s do h"ppen+ tho%h+ the C"! prote$ts the !om"n&
$.$.$ Do the Pro(het' ,1e " (rece#e!t for #1orce0
1n ;h"pter : !e std) prophe$ies of ,ose"+ 1s"i"h+ "nd Leremi"h th"t des$ribe the Cord3s
sep"r"tion from 1sr"el& For e2"mple+ ,ose" is " prophet !ho pre"$hes in 1sr"el in the ei%hth
$entr) before ;hrist& ,is $ontempor"ries h"ve for%otten the Cord+ !ho bro%ht their "n$estors
ot of $"ptivit) in G%)pt "nd %"ve them the l"nd of ;"n""n+ "nd no! !orship other %ods& ,ose"
tells them ho! sinfl this "post"s) is+ "nd !"rns them "bot !h"t !ill h"ppen if the) do not
repent&
,ose"+ nder God3s instr$tion+ m"rries " !om"n !ho is l"ter nf"ithfl to him& ,e $omp"res
himself to God+ "nd his !ife to 1sr"el& Lst "s he m"rried " !ife+ so God m"rried 1sr"el& Lst "s
his !ife betr")ed him for other men+ so 1sr"el betr")ed her Cord "nd !ent "fter other %ods& @o!
God !ill de"l !ith 1sr"el "s " m"n mi%ht de"l !ith "n "dlteros !ife& 1n 2:275+ the Cord files "
form"l le%"l indi$tment "%"inst 1sr"el+ "nd pro$l"ims+ NShe is not m) !ife+ neither "m 1 her
hsb"nd&N ,ose" des$ribes le%"l pro$eedin%s in !hi$h the Cord pts "!") f"ithless 1sr"el&
'he Cord3s l"! sit "%"inst 1sr"el sho!s th"t infidelit) !ithin m"rri"%e is $"se for
sep"r"tion& 1t "lso sho!s the form th"t the sep"r"tion is to t"*e& 'his sep"r"tion does not le"ve
both p"rties free to rem"rr)& 'he Cord r%es 1sr"el+ his N!ife+N to repent of her sin+
lest ' strip her naked, and ... slay her with thirst !os. "%0&.
1n "$$ord"n$e !ith the C"! of Moses in Fet& 22+ the nf"ithfl !ife deserves de"th+ bt
God %r"$iosl) offers for%iveness "nd restor"tion&
1s"i"h "nd Leremi"h "lso se the met"phor of m"rit"l infidelit) to des$ribe 1sr"el3s rel"tion to
the Cord+ "nd spe"* of sep"r"tion bet!een the n"tion "nd her divine hsb"nd& 4s in ,ose"+ this
sep"r"tion does not free the p"rties to see* other nions& ."ther+ it offers 1sr"el the $hoi$e of
re$on$ili"tion or de"th&
$.$.* Doe' E4r" (romote #1orce0
G#r" is " s$ribe "nd Bible te"$her "mon% the Le!s !ho retrn to Lers"lem from the B"b)loni"n
$"ptivit) in the fifth $entr) B&;& ,e $omes from B"b)lon to Lers"lem some )e"rs "fter the
retrn of the first settlers& 8n his "rriv"l+ he le"rns+ to his horror+ th"t these e"rlier $olonists h"ve
t"*en p"%"n p"rtners& 'hese !omen $ome from the nbelievin% popl"tion th"t the settlers fond
livin% in the l"nd !hen the) retrned& G#r" re"li#es th"t these mi2ed nions thre"ten to !e"*en
the Le!s3 devotion to God+ "nd "lso to prod$e offsprin% "$$stomed to spirit"l $ompromise& 1n
fervent pr")er to God -G#r" 9/+ he $onfesses the sin of the people "s tho%h it !ere his o!n&
'hen he "nd the le"ders of the people "%ree th"t the mi2ed f"milies shold be sep"r"ted+ "nd the)
$"rr) ot their pl"n&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
4t first %l"n$e+ G#r" seems to be sponsorin% $ommnit) divor$e& 8n $loser std) in ;h"pter
3+ !e !ill see th"t the nions he dissolves+ nions bet!een believers "nd nbelievers+ "re ille%"l
nder the l"! of Moses+ !hi$h !"s the $onstittion of the restored Le!ish n"tion& 'hese nions
$"nnot be $onsidered le%itim"te+ sin$e the) viol"te the $ivil l"!& 'hs the sep"r"tions th"t G#r"
dem"nds "re $ompletel) in order bibli$"ll)&
$.$.5 Doe' the Lor# 6e'%' '%((ort #1orce0
1n ;h"pters 11 thro%h 13+ !e !ill %ive $lose "ttention to the Cord Less3 !ords on divor$e+
espe$i"ll) the e2$eption for forni$"tion th"t M"tthe! mentions+ "nd e2"mine !ho be$omes
%ilt) of "dlter) in the $"se of rem"rri"%e&
The For!c"to! Cl"%'e 0 'he Cord Less te"$hes+
9hoever dismisses his wife, e*cept for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery !;att.
?%0"&.
9hoever dismisses his wife, e*cept for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery !;att.
$<%<&.
'he Cord s")s th"t forni$"tion e2$ses dismissin% "nd rem"rri"%e& 'hs m"n) ;hristi"ns feel
th"t forni$"tion is the one le%itim"te %ronds for divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e&
1t is not&
9e !ill see th"t Ndismissin%N does not me"n e2"$tl) the s"me thin% "s Ndivor$e&N Fivor$e is
one !") to NdismissN " member in " m"rri"%e& Bt NdismissN in the Bible $"n "lso me"n Npt to
de"thP *ill&N 1n the $onte2t of these verses "bot forni$"tion "nd dismiss"l+ the Ph"risees "re
distortin% !h"t Moses t"%ht "bot forni$"tion "nd divor$e+ "nd the Cord is $orre$tin% their
error& Moses t"%ht th"t the n"tion 1sr"el shold pt to de"th " spose !ho is %ilt) of
immor"lit)& 'his+ the Cord s")s+ is the onl) !") to dissolve " m"rri"%e so th"t one spose is free
to rem"rr)&
1n other !ords+ the Cord is s")in%+
4n)one !ho dismisses his !ife b) divor$e+ "s )o people $ommonl) do+ $"ses her
to $ommit "dlter) !hen she rem"rries+ "nd $ommits "dlter) himself b) rem"rr)in%&
'here is+ ho!ever+ one $"se in !hi$h rem"rri"%e is not "dlter)& 1f she is %ilt) of
forni$"tion+ the C"! re=ires 1sr"el to dismiss her+ not b) divor$e+ bt b) e2e$tion&
1n th"t $"se+ the srvivin% spose m") rem"rr)&
Whch P"rte' m"2 Rem"rr20 7 1n for different p"ss"%es -M"tt& 5:32P 19:9P M"r* 10:11P
C*e 15:16/ the Cord Less des$ribes " se$ond m"rri"%e "fter " divor$e "s "dlter)& Modern
;hristi"ns sometimes $l"im th"t s$h " m"rri"%e m") not be "dlter)+ dependin% on !hether the
previosl) m"rried person initi"ted the divor$e or not+ or !"s %ilt) of infidelit) or not& ;lose
std) of the Cord3s !ords sho!s th"t both p"rties in " divor$e $ommit "dlter) if the) rem"rr)&
$.$.8 Doe' P"%l (ermt #1orce0
God h"tes divor$e+ "nd his $hildren do "ll the) $"n to "void it& Sometimes+ tho%h+ " believer is
divor$ed b) "n nbelievin% spose& M") the believer rem"rr)H
P"l3s !ords in 1 ;or& ::15 h"ve been interpreted "s "llo!in% rem"rri"%e nder these
$ir$mst"n$es&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
(ut if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. The brother or sister is not enslaved in such cases.
9e !ill see in ;h"pter 12 th"t Nbond"%eN here is not the m"rri"%e tie+ bt the obli%"tion to sh"re
bed "nd bo"rd !ith "n "nt"%onisti$ spose& G"$h p"rtner in " m"rri"%e h"s dties to!"rd the
other& P"l te"$hes th"t !hen "n nbelievin% p"rtner le"ves the m"rri"%e+ the believer is freed
from those dties&
For inst"n$e+ " !ife shold sbmit herself to her hsb"nd -Gph& 5:22/& 1f he le"ves her+ she is
no lon%er bond to obe) him& 1t is =ite "nother thin% to s") th"t she is no lon%er (oined to him
b) God+ "nd ths free to rem"rr)& 'his P"l does not s")& Fivor$e does not end " m"rri"%e so f"r
"s God is $on$erned+ !hether the one !ho instittes it is " believer or "n nbeliever&
$.* Pr"ctc"l 9%e'to!'
8r $ommitment to be pr"$ti$"l "s !ell "s e2e%eti$"l re=ires th"t !e %o be)ond the te2t"l
stdies in P"rt 11 "nd e2"mine ho! the prin$iples !e le"rn there "ppl) to $on$rete sit"tions&
4$$ordin% to the p"ttern in 2 'im& 3:15+ !e !"nt to move from Ndo$trineN to Nreproof+N N$or7
re$tion+N "nd Ndis$ipline in ri%hteosness&N P"rt 111 s%%ests bibli$"l "ppro"$hes to sever"l
$ommon problems&
$.*.1 Wh"t "bo%t D1orce "!# Rem"rr",e before S"l1"to!0
Sometimes ;hristi"ns tre"t =estions of divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e differentl) dependin% on
!hether the divor$e or rem"rri"%e too* pl"$e before or "fter the person involved be$"me "
believer in the Cord Less& For e2"mple+ !e sometimes he"r th"t divor$e before s"lv"tion is
$le"nsed "!") b) the blood of ;hrist+ "nd does not hinder rem"rri"%e "fter s"lv"tion& ;h"pter 13
stdies this $l"im&
'he blood of ;hrist pr%es the %ilt of sin before s"lv"tion& 1t "lso pr%es the %ilt of sin
"fter s"lv"tion+ if the sinner repents& 'he soltion for sins $ommitted "fter s"lv"tion is the s"me
"s th"t for sins before s"lv"tion&
The blood of @esus .hrist his Son cleanses us from all sin !' @ohn $%A&.
1t is misle"din% to s%%est th"t God h"s different rles for pre7s"lv"tion divor$e "nd post7
s"lv"tion divor$e& 'he Bible %ives s no %ronds to tre"t one differentl) from the other& Both
m") involve sins th"t $"n be for%iven& Both m") le"ve $onse=en$es+ s$h "s the in"bilit) to
m"rr) someone else&
M"rri"%e does not need $hr$h blessin% to be bindin%& 4 m"rri"%e bet!een t!o nbelievers
is " v"lid m"rri"%e+ "nd $ontines to bind them "fter the) be$ome believers& God h"s (oined them
to%ether even tho%h the) "re nbelievers& 1f the) divor$e+ the) sin "%"inst God& 1f $onversion
$old !ipe "!") previos divor$es+ it !old "lso !ipe "!") previos m"rri"%es+ "nd $oples
!ho trst ;hrist "fter m"rri"%e shold be $onseled to rem"rr)& 'he @e! 'est"ment *no!s of no
s$h $stom& M"n) thin%s $h"n%e !hen one be$omes " believer& M"rit"l st"te77m"rried+
nm"rried+ !ido!ed+ divor$ed 0 is not one of them&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
$.*.$ Sho%l# Seco!# +"rr",e' be D''ol1e#0
,o! shold " p"stor $onsel someone !ho is divor$ed "nd rem"rried+ "nd no! nderst"nds th"t
the rem"rri"%e !"s "dlterosH 1s it sinfl to rem"in in the se$ond m"rri"%eH Shold the person
tr) to end the se$ond m"rri"%e to "void $ontin"l "dlter)H
;h"pter 14 sho!s th"t the "dlter) is in e!ter!, the se$ond m"rri"%e+ not in co!t!%!, in
it& .em"rri"%e is " sin+ "nd dem"nds repent"n$e& Bt be$"se or so$iet) re$o%ni#es the se$ond
nion "s m"rri"%e+ the believer $"nnot dissolve it !ithot sinnin% "ne!& 4 rem"rried $ople
shold repent of their sin of "dlter)+ "$$ept the Cord3s for%iveness+ "nd strive to obe) bibli$"l
prin$iples of m"rri"%e "nd the home in their ne! nion&
$.*.* +"2 Ch%rch Offcer' be D1orce# "!# Rem"rre#0
1 'imoth) 3+5 "nd 'its 1 l") do!n " nmber of re=irements for people in prominent ministries
in the $hr$h& 4mon% these is the m"rit"l st"ts of the $"ndid"te&
8n overseer then must be ... the husband of one wife !$ Tim. 0%"&.
7et the deacons be the husbands of one wife !$ Tim. 0%$"&.
7et a widow be enrolled ... the wife of one husband !$ Tim. ?%<&.
-rdain elders in every city, ... if any be ... the husband of one wife !Titus $%?,1&.
9hen !e std) these p"ss"%es in ;h"pter 15 !e !ill see th"t those !ho represent God3s
people mst not be %ilt) of "dlteros rem"rri"%e& God does not re$o%ni#e divor$e& 9hen
people divor$e "nd rem"rr)+ the) "re (oined b) God into t!o m"rri"%es "t the s"me time& S$h "n
e2perien$e dis="lifies " person from $ert"in positions in the $hr$h& Frthermore+ the sti%m" of
bein% mltipl) m"rried persists even if one of the dpli$"te sposes dies&
'he $hr$h needs to honor this restri$tion& 4t the s"me time+ it shold not pretend th"t
divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e is the onl) sin !orth) of note& 'here "re problems other th"n rem"rri"%e
th"t dis="lif) " person from prominent $hr$h positions+ "nd there "re !")s th"t " person !ho
h"s repented of rem"rri"%e m") serve& 'he $hr$h shold re=ire its represent"tives to meet "ll
the bibli$"l ="lifi$"tions+ in$ldin% the ="lifi$"tion "bot mltiple sposes+ bt shold not
ostr"$i#e those !ho h"ve repented of their sin&
$.*.5 Doe' Dome'tc Vole!ce A%thor4e D1orce0
M"n) people !ho oppose divor$e in %ener"l !ill (stif) it in $"ses of domesti$ violen$e& 9e !ill
le"rn in ;h"pter 15 th"t the Bible $ondemns strife bet!een people+ "nd so offers no "pprov"l of
ph)si$"l "bse in m"rri"%e& 1t "lso est"blishes sever"l spheres of "thorit) -the home+ the $hr$h+
"nd the $ivil %overnment/+ so th"t "n "bsed spose is (stified in see*in% the intervention of the
$hr$h or the $ivil %overnment& 8ne step th"t the Bible never endorses is divor$e& ;hildren m")
be sep"r"ted from their p"rents if the) "re end"n%ered+ bt God h"s (oined m"n "nd !ife to%ether
into one flesh& 1t is no more bibli$"l to stop "bse b) dividin% th"t nion th"n it is to prevent theft
b) $ttin% off someone3s h"nds&
$.5 A S%mm"r2 Pr!c(le
8t of the entire std)+ one over!helmin% $on$lsion emer%es:
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
There ' !o bblc"l b"''
for " 'eco!# m"rr",e "fter #1orce
:hle the fr't '(o%'e l1e'.
P"l pts it this !")+ in " more restri$ted $onte2t:
7et not the wife depart from her husband.
(ut if she depart,
let her remain unmarried, or let her be
reconciled to her husband !' .or. A%$B>$$&.
1t is " terrible thin% !hen hsb"nd "nd !ife sep"r"te&1t m") be n"void"ble+ !hen "n
nbelievin% p"rtner initi"tes it& Sbse=ent m"rri"%e to someone else is !ot n"void"ble& 4s lon%
"s the first spose lives+ rem"rri"%e viol"tes the Cord3s solemn $omm"nd+ Thou shalt not commit
adultery.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER *
WHAT IS A +ARRIA)E0
'he bibli$"l te"$hin%s on divor$e "ppl) onl) to those $oples !ho "re trl) m"rried+ !hom NGod
h"s (oined to%ether&N 4n nm"rried $ople $"n be sep"r"ted+ bt h"rdl) divor$ed& 1f !e !"nt to
*no! !h"t the Bible s")s "bot divor$e+ !e shold *no! !h"t it $onsiders m"rri"%e&
'he Bible no!here %ives " s$$in$t definition of m"rri"%e th"t !e $"n "ppl) to sit"tions
tod") to determine !hether the) ="lif)& 1nste"d+ it %ives s m"n) pi$tres of rel"tionships
bet!een men "nd !omen+ espe$i"ll) in the 8ld 'est"ment& Some of these rel"tionships ="lif)
"s m"rri"%e+ "nd some do not& 'o le"rn the elements of " bibli$"l m"rri"%e+ !e need to std)
these pi$tres "nd observe !h"t $h"r"$teristi$s distin%ish the m"rri"%es from the non7m"rri"%es&
Before !e $"n be%in this srve)+ !e need to le"rn ho! to re$o%ni#e " m"rri"%e in the Bible
!hen !e see one& Bibli$"l !riters do not des$ribe m"rri"%e in the s"me terms th"t !e do&
So !e be%in b) e2"minin% bibli$"l l"n%"%e for m"rri"%e&
'hen !e $"n test $ommon !estern notions of m"rri"%e "%"inst bibli$"l e2"mples to
dis$over the elements of " tre m"rri"%e&
Fin"ll)+ !e step b"$* from the p"ttern !e dis$over to distin%ish bet!een " tr%e
m"rri"%e "nd " h"((2 one&
*.1 -blc"l L"!,%",e for +"rr",e
1n "n Gn%lish boo*+ it3s e"s) to tell !hether the !riter $onsiders t!o people m"rried or not& 4
Nhsb"ndN is " m"rried m"n "nd " N!ifeN is " m"rried !om"n& 1n bibli$"l ,ebre! "nd Gree*+
tho%h+ Nhsb"ndN is s"ll) the s"me !ord "s Nm"n+N "nd N!ifeN is the s"me !ord "s N!om"n&N
'he tr"nsl"tors of the Gn%lish Bible se Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ifeN to sho! !hi$h $oples the) thin*
"re m"rried& 9e need to le"rn to test e"$h $"se orselves&
9e $"n se " dis$iplined method to le"rn !h"t the bibli$"l m"rri"%e vo$"bl"r) is&
< 'here "re t!o sets of !ords in the Bible+ both des$ribin% rel"tionships bet!een m"n "nd
!om"n+ th"t never overl"p& For " %iven rel"tionship+ !e m") find !ords from one set+ or
from the other+ bt never from both& 8ne set of !ords in$ldes Nforni$"tionN "nd N"dlter)+N
"nd $le"rl) des$ribes rel"tionships th"t "re not m"rri"%e& 'he other set $ont"ins !ords th"t
impl) offi$i"l m"rri"%e+ (st "s Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ifeN do in Gn%lish& From these t!o sets of
!ords+ !e $"n identif) some e2"mples of m"rri"%es "nd some e2"mples of non7m"rri"%e&
< 9hen !e $omp"re the e2"mples !ith one "nother+ !e find th"t the e2"mples of m"rri"%e
$ont"in some e2pressions or idioms th"t the e2"mples of non7m"rri"%e do not& 'he individ"l
!ords in these idioms "re not te$hni$"l !ords for m"rri"%e or non7m"rri"%e& ,o!ever+ the
idiom "s " !hole is restri$ted to one *ind of nion or the other&
< 8n$e !e find th"t "n idiom is restri$ted to m"rri"%e+ !e $"n se it to identif) frther
e2"mples of m"rri"%e&
4n e2tended note "t the end of this $h"pter %ives the reslts of this std)& 9e se these
reslts to identif) the rel"tionships th"t !e e2"mine in the rest of this $h"pter "s e2"mples of
m"rri"%e or non7m"rri"%e& 8ne import"nt $on$lsion is th"t+ tho%h ,ebre! "nd Gree* do not
des$ribe m"rri"%e !ith the s"me l"n%"%e th"t Gn%lish does+ the se of Gn%lish m"rri"%e
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
vo$"bl"r) -li*e Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ifeN/ in the $ommon tr"nsl"tions is often reli"ble+ sin$e the
e2pressions in !hi$h these terms "ppe"r "re te$hni$"l idioms for le%itim"te nions& 1n or
tr"nsl"tions in this boo*+ !e !ill se Gn%lish m"rri"%e vo$"bl"r) -li*e Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ifeN/
!hen the nderl)in% Gree* or ,ebre! e2pression n"mbi%osl) implies m"rri"%e+ nless the
point of the p"ss"%e trns on *no!in% the liter"l sense of the individ"l !ord&
*.$ Eleme!t' of " Tr%e +"rr",e
9hen modern ;hristi"ns thin* of m"rri"%e+ the) s"ll) thin* of for thin%s:
< 'he (h2'c"l %!o! of " m"n "nd " !om"nP
< 'he (rom'e of the $ople to live to%ether "nd $"re for one "notherP
< .e$o%nition of their nion b) the "ppropri"te c1l "thorit)+ so th"t their f"mil) h"s le%"l
st"tsP
< .e$o%nition of the nion b) " rel,o%' %rop&
1n this $h"pter+ !e !ill std) e"$h of these for $h"r"$teristi$s of " m"rri"%e& 9e !ill loo* "t
$oples in the Bible !ho s"tisf) different sets of these $riteri"+ "nd "s* !hether the Bible
$onsiders them m"rried& 1n this !")+ !e !ill le"rn !hi$h of the $onditions mst be s"tisfied for "
$ople to be m"rried&
*.$.1 The2 Sh"ll -e O!e Fle'h;;Ph2'c"l U!o!
Most people3s definition of m"rri"%e in$ldes ph)si$"l nion& 'he Bible te"$hes th"t ph)si$"l
nion is "n import"nt p"rt of m"rri"%e& B) itself+ tho%h+ it does not m"*e t!o people m"n "nd
!ife&
+"rr",e I!1ol1e' Ph2'c"l U!o! 7 'he first m"rri"%e re$orded in the Bible is bet!een
4d"m "nd Gve in Gden& God too* " rib from m"n+ "nd from it f"shioned " !om"n& ,e bro%ht
her to the m"n+ !ho s"id+
This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called 9oman, because she was taken
out of ;an !Gen. "%"0&
Moses "dds " $omment to this re$ord of the ori%in of m"rri"%e:
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be
one flesh !Gen. "%"+&.
'he !ord NthereforeN sho!s the $lose rel"tion bet!een these verses& Eerse 23 s")s th"t one
person -4d"m/ be$"me t!o& Eerse 24 s")s th"t t!o people be$ome one& From the ph)si$"l nion
of t!o people there isses " $hild+ re$"llin% the one person from !hom the ori%in"l $ople !"s
formed& Ph)si$"l nion $ommemor"tes the ori%in of m"n "nd !om"n "s one person& God
institted it before m"n sinned+ so it is not " sh"mefl "ppend"%e to " spirit"l instittion+ bt "
s)mbol of the tre nit) of m"rri"%e&
+"rr",e ' +ore th"! Ph2'c"l U!o! 7 M"rri"%e $"nnot e2ist !ithot ph)si$"l nion
bet!een m"n "nd !om"n& Ph)si$"l nion "lone+ tho%h+ is not " m"rri"%e+ "s "t le"st t!o bibli$"l
episodes m"*e $le"r&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he p"tri"r$h L"$ob+ li*e his f"ther 1s""$ "nd %r"ndf"ther 4br"h"m before him+ is " nom"d&
8ne of his m"n) $"mpsites is ne"r the home of She$hem+ the son of ,"mor -Gen& 33:16+19/&
Frin% L"$ob3s so(orn there+ She$hem s"! L"$ob3s d"%hter Fin"h+
took her, and lay with her, and humbled her !Gen. 0+%"&.
She$hem "nd Fin"h "re nited ph)si$"ll)& >et neither She$hem nor L"$ob re$o%ni#es this
nion "s m"rri"%e& She$hem !ishes to norm"li#e the rel"tionship+ "nd "s*s his f"ther+ NGet me this
girl for a wifeN -verse 4/& L"$ob "nd his sons do not $onsider the nion "n "tom"ti$ m"rri"%e+
either& 'he) l") strin%ent re=irements on She$hem before the) !ill permit him to m"rr) the
!om"n he h"s "lre"d) possessed&
9e cannot ... give our sister to one who is uncircumcised. .. 'f you will not hearken unto us, to be
circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go !Gen. 0+%$+>$A&.
Both p"rties re"li#e th"t ph)si$"l nion "lone does not $onstitte m"rri"%e&
'he forth $h"pter of Lohn3s %ospel $onfirms th"t m"rri"%e is more th"n ph)si$"l nion&
'here+ the Cord Less intervie!s " !om"n of S"m"ri"& 1n the $orse of the $onvers"tion+
@esus says to her, CGo, call your man, and come here.C
'he phr"se N)or m"nN is the $ommon idiom for N)or hsb"nd+N bt to nderst"nd the
di"lo%+ !e mst remember th"t the !ord tr"nsl"ted Nhsb"ndN in the Gn%lish versions is+ stri$tl)+
the Gree* !ord for Nm"n&N
The woman answered and said, C' don=t have a man.C
4s !e sho! in the notes "t the end of the $h"pter+ the phr"se Nto h"ve " m"nN -nli*e N)or
m"nN/ is "mbi%os& 1t $"n des$ribe m"rri"%e+ "nd the !om"n seems to intend it in this sense&
Bt it $"n "lso refer to $oh"bit"tion ot of !edlo$*& 'he Cord3s response pl")s on this "mbi%it)&
@esus said to her, CDou have well said, =' don=t have a man.= For you have had five men, and he whom
you now have is not your manC !@ohn +%$1>$E&.
'he $onvers"tion trns on the differen$e bet!een the e2pressions N)or m"n+N !hi$h implies
m"rri"%e+ "nd Nto h"ve " m"n+N !hi$h implies nion bt not ne$ess"ril) m"rri"%e& 'he !om"n
h"s lived !ith five men& 9e do not *no! !hether she !"s m"rried to "n) of them+ bt the Cord
m"*es $le"r th"t she is not m"rried to her present p"rtner& Ph)si$"l nion "lone is not eno%h to
m"*e them m"n "nd !ife&
*.$.$ <I 6oh! T".e Thee 6o"!<;;Commtme!t
9eddin%s in 9estern so$iet) involve "n e2$h"n%e of vo!s bet!een bride "nd %room& G"$h
person promises some sort of $ommitment to the other&
G2pression of $ommitment h"s " pl"$e in the m"rri"%es of Bible $h"r"$ters "s !ell& 'here+ it
t"*es the form of " $oven"nt+ " solemn promise bet!een t!o p"rties& Sever"l p"ss"%es in the
Bible sho! th"t m"rri"%e is " $oven"nt+ " promise of $ommitment bet!een " m"n "nd " !om"n&
'he $le"rest referen$e to the m"rri"%e $oven"nt is in M"l"$hi 2:14715:
The 7ord has testified between you and your youth>wife, with whom you have dealt treacherously.
Det she is your companion, and your covenant>wife. .. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that none
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
deal treacherously with his youth>wife. For the 7ord, the God of 'srael, says that he hates putting
away. .. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you deal not treacherously.
M"l"$hi des$ribes " m"n3s !ife "s N)or $oven"nt7!ife+N the one !ith !hom the hsb"nd h"s
entered into " form"l "%reement& 1n pttin% her "!")+ M"l"$hi s")s th"t " m"n Nde"ls
tre"$herosl)&N 'he Gn%lish !ords Nde"l tre"$herosl)N tr"nsl"te the ,ebre! term th"t me"ns+
Nbetr") " $oven"nt&N M"l"$hi3s !ords sho! th"t he $onsiders " m"n "nd his proper !ife to be
bond b) $oven"nt to one "nother&
Leremi"h 3:20 $omp"res the Cord "nd 1sr"el to hsb"nd "nd !ife&
CSurely, as a woman departs treacherously from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with me,
house of 'srael,C says the 7ord.
'he phr"ses Ndep"rt tre"$herosl)N "nd Nde"l tre"$herosl)N both tr"nsl"te the ,ebre! !ord
des$ribin% bre"$h of $oven"nt& 1sr"el h"s viol"ted God3s $oven"nt (st "s " !")!"rd !ife viol"tes
the m"rri"%e $oven"nt&
G#e*iel+ li*e Leremi"h+ des$ribes 1sr"el3s rel"tion to God nder the fi%re of m"rri"%e& ,e
devotes the si2teenth $h"pter of his boo* to "n el"bor"te met"phor& Lers"lem is "n n!"nted
b"b) %irl+ $"st ot to perish of e2posre& 'he Cord is " p"sserb)+ !ho dis$overs the inf"nt "nd
res$es her from $ert"in de"th& @ot onl) does he s"ve her life+ bt !hen she %ro!s to
m"rri"%e"ble "%e+
C' spread my skirt over you, and ' covered your nakedness, and ' swore unto you, and ' entered into a
covenant with you,C says the 7ord God, Cand you became mineC !EFek. $1%E&.
'he m"rri"%e involves " solemn o"th -N1 s!ore nto )oN/ th"t forms the b"sis for " $oven"nt
-N1 entered into " $oven"nt !ith )oN/&
'he $h"pter %oes on to pi$tre 1sr"el3s idol"tr) "s "dlter) "%"inst the lovin% hsb"nd !ho
h"s provided so %enerosl) for her& B) this f"ithlessness+ the Cord s")s+ she h"s Ndespised the
o"th in bre"*in% the $oven"ntN -G#e*& 15:59/& >et her hsb"nd does not fors"*e her:
' myself will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth !EFek. $1%?<&.
G#e*iel des$ribes the m"rri"%e of the !"if to her res$er "s " $oven"nt+ "nd ses the m"rri"%e
$oven"nt to illstr"te God3s $oven"nt !ith 1sr"el& M"rri"%e is " fre=ent illstr"tion of God3s
rel"tion to his people in both the 8ld "nd the @e! 'est"ments& 1t emph"si#es th"t God3s de"lin%s
!ith m"n involve irrevo$"ble promises&
'hese e2"mples sho! th"t m"rri"%e involves "n e2pression of $ommitment& 'his promise is
"n obvios differen$e bet!een the rel"tion Nhsb"nd "nd !ifeN "nd the rel"tion Nm"n "nd h"rlot&N
*.$.* The +"rr",e Lce!'e;;Socet2&' Role
Ph)si$"l nion "nd " promise of $ommitment "re ne$ess"r) for " m"rri"%e& 4re the) "ll th"t is
ne$ess"r)H 1f " m"n "nd " !om"n pled%e themselves to one "nother+ m") the) live to%ether
le%itim"tel) "s m"n "nd !ifeH
1n modern 9estern $ltres+ the) s"ll) m") not& 'he st"te re%l"tes m"rri"%e+ "nd !ithot
its "pprov"l " $ople does not $onstitte " le%"l nit& Gven !hen " %overnment endorses $ommon
l"! m"rri"%e+ the m"rri"%e h"s le%"l st"ndin% be$"se it is re$o%ni#ed+ not (st be$"se the
p"rtners "re $ommitted to one "nother& 'he Bible offers pre$edents for this role of so$iet)&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Genesis does not pi$tre the p"tri"r$hs nder " l"r%e $entr"l %overnment& So$iet) in th"t e"rl)
d") is " net!or* of e2tended f"milies& @o m"rri"%e is v"lid !ithot the "pprov"l of these
f"milies&
9hen She$hem the son of ,"mor desires Fin"h the d"%hter of L"$ob "s his !ife+ he does
not simpl) elope !ith her+ bt "s*s his f"ther to "rr"n%e the !eddin% -Gen& 34:4/& 'he f"milies of
,"mor "nd L"$ob then enter into el"bor"te ne%oti"tions& 'he m"rri"%e of She$hem "nd Fin"h
me"ns the nion of t!o f"milies& 'hose f"milies h"ve " s") in !hether the m"rri"%e t"*es pl"$e&
'he !eddin%s of 1s""$ !ith .ebe*"h+ "nd of L"$ob !ith ."$hel "nd Ce"h+ "re simil"r to the
!eddin% of She$hem "nd Fin"h& 1n e"$h $"se+ the bride3s f"mil) mst "pprove the m"rri"%e&
4br"h"m3s serv"nt dis$overs .ebe*"h "t the !ell of ,"r"n+ "nd *no!s b) " test th"t she is the
!om"n he h"s been sent to fet$h -Gen& 24:2:/& ,e does not spe"* dire$tl) to her "bot m"rr)in%
1s""$+ bt "s*s to be t"*en to her f"ther3s hose& 'here+ he e2pl"ins his err"nd to her f"ther
Bethel "nd brother C"b"n& 8nl) !hen the) "pprove do the) "s* .ebe*"h !h"t she thin*s -Gen&
24:56/&
Simil"rl)+ !hen L"$ob flees to ,"r"n from Gs" his brother+ he meets ."$hel "t the !ell& ,e
f"lls in love !ith her -Gen& 29:16/+ "nd his propos"l mst be $le"red !ith C"b"n+ her f"ther+ !ho
is no! the le"der of the e2tended f"mil)& 'he) "%ree on terms& L"$ob !ill serve for seven )e"rs
for the h"nd of ."$hel& 4t the end of the seven )e"rs+ L"$ob $l"ims his !ife+ bt C"b"n
sbstittes his elder d"%hter Ce"h+ "nd L"$ob finds himself m"rried to the !ron% !om"n& ,e
protests+
C9hat is this that you have done to meG 9as it not for )achel that ' served with youG 9hy then have
you deceived meGC Then 7aban said, C't must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before
the firstborn. Fulfill her week. ..C 8nd @acob did so !Gen. "<%"?>"E&.
L"$ob is not ple"sed !ith the stri$tres of C"b"n3s so$iet)+ bt he mst "$=ies$e to them& For
!ithot the endorsement of so$iet)+ there is no tre m"rri"%e&
Genesis sho!s the role of so$iet) in m"rri"%e not onl) in the !eddin%s of the p"tri"r$hs+ bt
"lso b) distin%ishin% bet!een fll !ives "nd $on$bines& 1n ;h"pter 5 !e !ill e2"mine the
$stom of $on$bin"%e "nd see ho! it differs from fll m"rri"%e& 'he m"(or distin$tion bet!een
" $on$bine "nd " fll !ife is in her le%"l st"ts& 1n other !ords+ the differen$e is defined b)
so$iet)&
1n the e2"mples in Genesis+ there is no $entr"l %overnment& 9hen God does est"blish " more
form"l %overnment for his people+ m"rri"%e is one of the thin%s it re%l"tes& Moses+ 1sr"el3s %re"t
le%isl"tor+ l")s do!n l"!s st"tin% !ho m") m"rr) !hom& 8n the one h"nd+ he otl"!s some
nions -Cev& 16:5716/ be$"se the m"n "nd !om"n "re too $losel) rel"ted& 8n the other+ Fet&
::3+4 forbids m"rri"%e !ith p"%"ns+ !ho be$"se of their idol"tr) "re too forei%n to 1sr"el to be
(oined to its so$iet) thro%h m"rri"%e&
'here "re no e2"mples in the Pent"te$h of Moses bre"*in% p " nion th"t viol"tes Cev&
16:5716 or Fet& ::3+4& 1n or ;h"pter 6+ !e !ill std) ho! G#r" the priest did sep"r"te nl"!fl
nions "mon% the people !ho retrned from B"b)lon "fter the $"ptivit)& So$iet) defines !h"t is
m"rri"%e "nd !h"t is not& 1ts "pprov"l is ne$ess"r) for t!o people to m"rr)&
So$iet)3s "thorit) to re%l"te m"rri"%e m") %ive the impression th"t m"rri"%e is " m"n7m"de
$stom& 1t is not& 1n M"tt& 19:5+ the Cord Less te"$hes th"t NGod h"s (oined to%etherN those !ho
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
"re trl) m"rried& M"rri"%es "re r"tified in he"ven& 'h"t is !h) !e se"r$h God3s !ord+ r"ther
th"n boo*s of m"n3s l"!+ for he"ven3s st"nd"rds for m"rri"%e& God does %ive so$iet) the
responsibilit) for some de$isions "bot m"rri"%e& So$iet) h"s " s")+ tho%h+ onl) be$"se God so
de$rees& 1n trn+ he !ill (d%e the members of so$iet) for ho! the) dis$h"r%e the responsibilit)
he %ives them&
*.$.5 <-efore )o# "!# The'e Wt!e''e'<;;Rel,o! "!# We##!,'
So f"r+ !e h"ve fond three elements in m"rri"%es th"t God $onsiders v"lid: ph)si$"l nion+
$oven"nt+ "nd the "pprov"l of so$iet)& 'he Ntr"dition"l !eddin%N often h"s " forth element& 1t is
"dministered b) " reli%ios le"der+ in " bildin% dedi$"ted to the !orship of God& 1s this
ne$ess"r)H Mst " nion be blessed b) the $hr$h before it is " tre m"rri"%eH
1n the e2"mples !e h"ve (st stdied+ it is h"rd to sep"r"te $ivil "nd reli%ios "pprov"l&
F"mil) he"ds in the 8ld 'est"ment "re the reli%ios le"ders of their homes+ "s !ell "s "thorities
in the so$iet) of the d")& Moses is not onl) 1sr"el3s l"!%iver+ bt "lso her first prophet+ " not"ble
reli%ios le"der& 9hen Bethel+ or C"b"n+ or Moses "pproves " !eddin%+ th"t !eddin% en(o)s
both $ivil "nd spirit"l "pprov"l&
Perh"ps+ tho%h+ onl) one of those "thorities is ne$ess"r)& 9e $old tell+ if !e h"d "n
e2"mple of " $ivil "thorit) th"t is not reli%ios+ or " reli%ios "thorit) th"t is not $ivil& 'he
@e! 'est"ment %ives s both& 1t te"$hes th"t the $hr$h is " spirit"l "thorit)+ bt not " $ivil
one& 1t "lso te"$hes th"t believers "re to respe$t se$l"r %overnment "s " $ivil "thorit)+ bt not "
spirit"l one& 9hen !e srve) $hr$h involvement in m"rri"%es in the @e! 'est"ment+ !e find
th"t m"rri"%es $ontr"$ted !ithot $hr$h "pprov"l "re bindin%+ tho%h not ple"sin% to God& 'hs
!e $on$lde th"t it is the $ivil+ not the spirit"l+ "pprov"l of 8ld 'est"ment so$iet) th"t m"*es "
m"rri"%e bindin%&
U!ble''e# +"rr",e' "re -!#!, 7 1f the @e! 'est"ment re=ired $hr$h blessin% for "
m"rri"%e to be bindin%+ it mi%ht e2press th"t re=irement in t!o !")s&
1&1t mi%ht $ont"in instr$tion+ or "t le"st some re$ord+ of the $hr$h3s role in m"rr)in% men "nd
!omen&
2&1t mi%ht %ive some indi$"tion th"t people !ho Nm"rr)N before s"lv"tion "re re"ll) livin% in
sin+ !ith some e2"mples of $onverts rem"rr)in% to m"*e their nions v"lid&
'he @e! 'est"ment h"s m$h to s") "bot m"rri"%e& >et it sho!s neither of these si%ns&
'he @e! 'est"ment %ives no instr$tions or pre$edents for $hr$h !eddin%s& 9e h"ve both
instr$tion -in the Gpistles/ "nd e2"mples -in 4$ts/ of the $hr$h3s "$tivit) in b"ptism+ the Cord3s
Spper+ $"rin% for the poor+ pre"$hin%+ ev"n%elism+ pr")er+ "nd $hr$h dis$ipline+ bt not " !ord
"bot the $hr$h "s "n "%ent of m"rri"%e& P"l $omm"nds )on% !ido!s to m"rr) -1 'im& 5:14/+
"nd $ondemns those !ho forbid m"rri"%e -1 'im& 4:3/+ bt he never %ives the $hr$h " role in
le%itimi#in% " nion& 'his silen$e does not forbid $hr$h $eremonies+ bt it does le"ve s !ithot
bibli$"l spport for insistin% on them&
Frthermore+ the $hr$h "$$epts se$l"r m"rri"%es& 1n 1 ;orinthi"ns :+ P"l en$or"%es
believers m"rried to nbelievers to st") m"rried r"ther th"n see* sep"r"tion& 'hese mi2ed
m"rri"%es prob"bl) ori%in"ted !ith the se$l"r m"rri"%e of t!o nbelievers& C"ter+ onl) one
p"rtner believed on ;hrist& P"l re%"rds these nions+ solemni#ed "$$ordin% to the $ivil $stom
of the d")+ "s re"l m"rri"%es+ "nd "s bindin% on the p"rti$ip"nts&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
@o!here does the @e! 'est"ment ever tell those !ho "re first m"rried "nd then s"ved to
rem"rr)& 'he first believers "re "ll "dlt $onverts+ "nd in m"n) $"ses $onverts from p"%"nism&
'hese $onverts mst $h"n%e m"n) "spe$ts of their lives !hen the) Ntrn to God from idols to
serve the livin% "nd tre GodN -1 'hess& 1:9/& 8ne "spe$t the) "re never told to $h"n%e is their
rel"tionship to their l"!fl !ives&
;hr$h blessin% is not ne$ess"r) to m"*e " m"rri"%e bindin%& ?nbelievers "s !ell "s
believers $"n be l"!fll) m"rried+ if their ph)si$"l nion is fonded on "n e2pression of
$ommitment to one "nother "nd obe)s the l"!s of their so$iet)&
U!ble''e# +"rr",e' "re S!f%l 7 'he $hr$h3s blessin% is not needed to m"*e " m"rri"%e
bindin%+ bt it is essenti"l if " m"rri"%e is to ple"se God& 4t this point in or dis$ssion+ !e fo$s
or "ttention on the m"rri"%es of believers& So f"r "s nbelievers "re $on$erned+ neither their
m"rri"%es nor "n)thin% else the) do $"n ple"se God+ for the) "re his enemies ntil the) repent
"nd re$eive s"lv"tion -.om& 6::+6/& 'he point here is th"t the m"rri"%e of " believer+ tho%h
bindin% !ith respe$t to divor$e+ $"n still be disple"sin% to God if the believer enters it in
viol"tion of @e! 'est"ment te"$hin%&
'he $hr$h h"s hi%her st"nd"rds for m"rri"%e th"n does se$l"r so$iet)& For inst"n$e+ in 1
;or& ::39+ P"l te"$hes th"t " sin%le !om"n -in this $"se+ " !ido!/
is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in the 7ord.
Be$"se of this te"$hin%+ " $hr$h shold not "llo! its members to m"rr) nbelievers&
Believers !ho enter s$h nions+ "%"inst the instr$tion of the $hr$h+ shold be dis$iplined& 1f
their nions meet the three $onditions of " bindin% m"rri"%e+ the believers "re not %ilt) of
"dlter)& ,o!ever+ the) "re %ilt) of disobe)in% bibli$"l te"$hin% "bot sep"r"tion&
1n " so$iet) th"t s"n$tions pol)%"m)+ " m"n m") le%itim"tel) h"ve sever"l !ives "t on$e& 4
believin% m"n !ho t"*es sever"l !ives is not livin% in "dlter)+ bt he h"s disobe)ed the bibli$"l
st"nd"rd of mono%"m)& 'he $hr$h shold dis$ipline him+ "nd -"s !e !ill see in ;h"pter 15/
shold not "llo! him to serve in positions of le"dership&
Godl) believers see* the s"n$tion of their lo$"l $hr$h !hen the) m"rr)+ "nd "s* God3s
blessin% on their nion& 1t is !onderfl !hen believers m"rr) in the presen$e of other believers+
"nd ths dedi$"te their life to%ether to the Cord& 'he reli%ios $eremon) $"n be of %re"t spirit"l
v"le& ,o!ever+ it does not m"*e the m"rri"%e le%itim"te nless the st"te %ives it th"t role&
*.* Tr%e +"rr",e' "!# H"((2 +"rr",e'
9e h"ve fond three $riteri" th"t mst be present in nions th"t the Bible re$o%ni#es "s m"rri"%e:
1&Ph)si$"l nionP
2&4 promise of mt"l $ommitmentP
3&'he "pprov"l of their so$iet) or %overnment&
'hese "re import"nt $onditions& >et the Bible des$ribes other $onditions th"t $"n m"*e "
m"rri"%e %odl) or sinfl+ h"pp) or s"d& For e2"mple:
< Both the 8ld 'est"ment "nd the @e! 'est"ment e2hort believers not to m"rr) nbelievers&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
< 'he p"rents of 1s""$ -Gen& 24:3+4/ "nd L"$ob -Gen& 2::45726:2/ insist th"t their sons see*
!ives from their o!n $ltre+ s%%estin% the v"le of m"rr)in% " person from " simil"r so$i"l
b"$*%rond&
< 'he @e! 'est"ment re=ires $hr$h le"ders to h"ve onl) one !ife e"$h+ "nd even the 8ld
'est"ment e2poses pol)%"m) "s "n invit"tion to nh"ppiness&
4 $ommon f"ith+ " $ommon b"$*%rond+ "nd mono%"m) "re "ll $riteri" for " h"pp)
m"rri"%e& 4re the) "lso ne$ess"r) for " v"lid m"rri"%eH
Prin$iples s$h "s mono%"m) "re essenti"l to " %ood m"rri"%e& 'he) do not+ tho%h+ m"*e
the differen$e bet!een m"rri"%e "nd forni$"tion& 4 pol)%"mos m"rri"%e viol"tes @e!
'est"ment te"$hin% "nd thre"tens its members !ith nh"ppiness& Bt if it in$ldes ph)si$"l
nion+ " promise of $ommitment+ "nd so$i"l "pprov"l+ it is bindin%+ "nd the bibli$"l te"$hin%s on
divor$e "ppl) to it&
'he three $riteri" !e fond in this $h"pter "re not eno%h to %"r"ntee " %ood m"rri"%e&
1nste"d+ the) "re the fe!est $onditions nder !hi$h God $onsiders t!o people m"rried "t "ll&
'!o people !ho s"tisf) onl) the ne$ess"r) $riteri" !ill prob"bl) not be h"pp) to%ether& Still+
God h"s (oined them to%ether+ "nd if the) divide their nion the) "re %ilt) of divor$e&
1t t"*es ver) little to be bibli$"ll) m"rried& 'he simpli$it) of the $riteri" %ives " stron%
!"rnin%& God "llo!s no tri"l !eddin%s+ no "pprenti$e m"rri"%es+ no middle %rond bet!een
forni$"tion "nd l"!fl nion& 9e $"nnot l"ter bre"* " s"d or sinfl m"rri"%e be$"se !e thin*
there is no love in it+ or be$"se it l"$*s $hr$h "pprov"l+ or be$"se one member is " believer
"nd the other is not& 1f " $ople is m"rried "t "ll+ God $onsiders them m"rried ntil he sep"r"tes
them in de"th& 1t t"*es m"n) in%redients to m"*e " m"rri"%e h"pp)+ bt onl) three $onditions to
m"*e it perm"nent& 9e mst enter m"rri"%e !ith %re"t $"tion+ lest !e be tr"pped in " nion th"t
offers neither h"ppiness nor es$"pe&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t "re the ne$ess"r) elements in " v"lid m"rri"%eH
2& 9h) $"nnot !e rel) on the se of the !ords Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ifeN to tell !ho in the
Bible is m"rriedH
3& 9h"t does the None fleshN rel"tionship $ommemor"teH
4& Ple"se $ite "n episode in the Bible to sho! th"t ph)si$"l nion "lone does not $onstitte
m"rri"%e&
5& 9h"t is there in $ommon bet!een m"rri"%e "nd God3s rel"tion to his people th"t m"*es
one so sit"ble "n illstr"tion of the otherH
5& 9h) is it re"son"ble for so$iet) to re%l"te m"rri"%eH
:& Fid Moses re%l"te m"rri"%e in his $"p"$it) "s " reli%ios le"der+ or in his $"p"$it) "s "
$ivil le%isl"torH
6& 1s " ;hristi"n $ople livin% in forni$"tion if their m"rri"%e h"s not been blessed b) the
$hr$hH 9h) or !h) notH
9& 9h"t "re the $onse=en$es if " believer disobe)s bibli$"l prin$iples $on$ernin%
m"rri"%e "nd the homeH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
10& Shold " believer enter " m"rri"%e b"sed onl) on the three $riteri" stdied in this
$h"pterH 9h) or !h) notH
NOTES
*.5 -blc"l L"!,%",e for +"rr",e
4t the be%innin% of this $h"pter+ !e mentioned the problem of identif)in% le%itim"te m"rri"%es
in the Bible& Gn%lish !ords li*e Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ifeN do not h"ve $ommon n"mbi%os
$onterp"rts in ,ebre! "nd Gree*& 'hose l"n%"%es do distin%ish bet!een le%itim"te "nd
ille%itim"te nions+ bt the) do it !ith " set of !ords "nd idioms r"ther different from those of
Gn%lish& 'his note otlines the bibli$"l e2pressions th"t "llo! s to identif) " p"rti$l"r rel"tion
"s m"rri"%e&
Bibli$"l l"n%"%e for m"rri"%e f"lls into t!o $l"sses&
1& ,ebre! "nd Gree* h"ve some individ"l !ords th"t refer e2pli$itl) to $on$epts rel"ted
to m"rri"%e or $on$bin"%e& 9hen " !riter ses one of these terms+ !e *no! th"t "
le%itim"te nion is in vie!& 'hese terms "ppe"r m$h less often in bibli$"l te2t th"n
their $onterp"rts do in Gn%lish&
2& 'he Bible $ommonl) ses idioms of o!nership to des$ribe m"rri"%e& 'ho%h these
idioms "re not limited to the rel"tion bet!een m"n "nd !ife+ the) do not seem to be
sed of men "nd !omen in ille%itim"te nions& 'h"t is+ the) $"n des$ribe " m"n "nd his
!ife+ or " m"n "nd his o2+ bt not " m"n "nd " h"rlot&
*.5.1 Wor#' for +"rr",e Co!ce(t'
Some bibli$"l !ords spe$ifi$"ll) des$ribe m"rri"%e+ "nd "llo! s to dete$t le%"l nions& 'he) do
not s"ll) distin%ish bet!een fll m"rri"%e "nd $on$bin"%e+ " le%"l nion !ith " sl"ve&
;h"pter 5 !ill std) the differen$es bet!een m"rri"%e "nd $on$bin"%e+ "nd help s to *eep
these t!o rel"tions str"i%ht&
*.5.1.1 I!;L":'
'ho%h the Bible does not sin%le ot Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ifeN !ith spe$i"l !ords+ it does h"ve
spe$i"l !ord f"milies for Nd"%hter7in7l"!+N Nson7in7l"!+N "nd Nsiblin%7in7l"!&N 'he "n$ients
re"li#ed ver) "$tel) th"t m"rri"%e (oins to%ether not (st t!o individ"ls+ bt t!o f"milies "s
!ell&
'he ,ebre! !ords for in7l"!s "re not str"i%htfor!"rd tr"nsl"tions of the Gn%lish terms& 1n
Gn%lish+ for inst"n$e+ Nf"ther7in7l"!N $"n refer either to " !om"n3s hsb"nd3s f"ther or to " m"n3s
!ife3s f"ther& 1n ,ebre!+ t!o different !ords distin%ish these $on$epts& So !e mst be $"refl
to identif) pre$isel) the rel"tion des$ribed b) e"$h of the !ords !e std)&
'he ,ebre! !ord QRS Nd"%hter7in7l"!N des$ribes the rel"tion bet!een " !om"n "nd either
of her hsb"nd3s p"rents& S"r"h is the d"%hter7in7l"! of 'er"h+ the f"ther of 4br"h"m+ in Gen&
11:31+ "nd the s"me !ord des$ribes '"m"r3s rel"tionship to Ld"h in Gen& 36:11+15+24P 1 ;hr&
2:4+ b) virte of her m"rri"%e to his sons Gr "nd 8n"n& 'he !ord "lso des$ribes the !ife of
Phineh"s the son of Gli -1 S"m& 4:19/+ "nd .th "nd 8rp"h+ the !ives of the sons of @"omi -.th
1:5+:+6+22P 2:20+22/& 'his l"st $"se sho!s th"t " !ife is the Nd"%hter7in7l"!N of her hsb"nd3s
mother "s !ell "s of his f"ther&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he l"!s of in$est refle$t the $loseness of the rel"tionship est"blished b) m"rri"%e& 4
d"%hter7in7l"! is so $losel) bond into the f"mil) th"t ph)si$"l intim"$) bet!een her "nd her
hsb"nd3s f"ther !old be in$est -Cev& 16:15P 20:12P G#e*& 22:11/&
'he e2pression Nd"%hter7in7l"!N "lmost "l!")s des$ribes " !om"n !ho is either en%"%ed or
ne!l) m"rried+ "nd so t"*es on the me"nin% Nbride&N 1n ;"nt& 4:6712P 5:1P 1s"& 52:5+ the Gn%lish
versions render it NsposeN or Nbride&N 4 rel"ted !ord me"ns Nbetroth"lN in Ler& 2:2&
4nother !ord+ + me"ns Nson7in7l"!+N "nd des$ribes the rel"tion bet!een " m"n "nd his
!ife3s f"ther& Cot h"s "t le"st t!o sons7in7l"! in Sodom -Gen& 19:12+14/& S"mson3s m"rri"%e to "
Philistine !om"n involves "n e2tended fe"st -Ld%es 14/+ "nd reslts in him bein% " son7in7l"!
to her f"ther -Ld%& 15:5/& F"vid !old h"ve h"d this rel"tionship to S"l if S"l h"d *ept his
promise to %ive his d"%hter Mer"b to F"vid -1 S"m& 16:16/& C"ter+ F"vid be$omes S"l3s son7
in7l"! b) m"rr)in% Mi$h"l -1 S"m& 22:14/& 'obi"h is des$ribed "s She$h"ni"h3s son7in7l"! in
@eh& 5:16+ "nd Loi"d"3s son is S"nb"ll"t3s son7in7l"! in @eh& 13:26& Ld%es 19:5 ses Nson7in7
l"!N to des$ribe the rel"tionship bet!een " Cevite "nd the f"ther of his $on$bine& 9e do not
*no! !hether the !ord $old be "pplied to the rel"tion bet!een " m"n "nd his !ife3s mother&
4s does Nd"%hter7in7l"!+N Nson7in7l"!N $"n lose its emph"sis on the rel"tionship bet!een
f"milies "nd $ome to me"n Nbride%room&N Mippor"h ses it in this !") to des$ribe Moses in G2&
4:25+25& 1t often st"nds p"r"llel to Nd"%hter7in7l"!N to des$ribe Nbride "nd bride%roomN -1s"&
52:5P Ler& ::34P 15:9P 25:10P 33:11P Loel 2:15/&
9e h"ve "lre"d) noted th"t ,ebre! h"s t!o distin$t !ords for Nf"ther7in7l"!&N 8ne of these+
+ is " $o%n"te of Nson7in7l"!+N "nd me"ns N!ife3s f"therN -not Nhsb"nd3s f"therN/& 1t
des$ribes the f"thers of Moses3 t!o !ives+ Lethro -G2& 3:1P 4:16P 16:172:/ "nd ,ob"b -@m&
10:29P Ld%es 1:15P 4:11/+ "nd "lso the f"ther of the Cevite3s $on$bine -Ld%es 19:4+:+9/& 'he
feminine form of N!ife3s f"therN me"ns N!ife3s mother+N " rel"tion so $lose th"t ph)si$"l nion
!ithin it is in$est -Fet& 2::23/&
4nother rel"ted non+ + me"ns Nm"rri"%e+N bt o$$rs onl) in ;"nt& 3:11&
'he verb"l form of is + "nd emph"si#es the "lli"n$es th"t form bet!een f"milies "s
" reslt of m"rri"%e& F"vid performs this "$tion b) m"rr)in% S"l3s d"%hter Mi$h"l -1 S"m&
16:2172:/+ "nd Solomon b) m"rr)in% Ph"r"oh3s d"%hter -1 Din%s 3:1/& 'he verb "lso des$ribes
!h"t h"ppens to the p"rents !hen their $hildren m"rr)& Lehosh"ph"t does this to 4h"b -2 ;hr&
16:1/+ prob"bl) not b) m"rr)in% 4h"b3s d"%hter himself+ bt b) h"vin% his son m"rr) her -2
;hr& 21:5/& ,"mor the f"ther of She$hem proposes this sort of "lli"n$e !ith L"$ob in Gen& 34:9&
C"ter+ God forbids 1sr"el to enter into s$h "lli"n$es !ith the p"%"n inh"bit"nts of P"lestine
-Fet& ::3P Losh& 23:12P G#r& 9:14/&
'he se$ond ,ebre! !ord for Nf"ther7in7l"!N is Nhsb"nd3s f"ther+N !hi$h des$ribes the
rel"tion of Ld"h to his son3s !ife '"m"r -Gen& 36:13+25/+ "nd Gli to the !ife of his son Phineh"s
-1 S"m& 4:19+21/& 4 feminine form of this s"me !ord+ b Nhsb"nd3s mother+N des$ribes the
rel"tion of @"omi to her son3s !ife .th -.th 1:14P 2:11+16+19+23P 3:1+5+15+1:/&
'he in7l"! rel"tion "mon% siblin%s is espe$i"ll) import"nt in the 8ld 'est"ment be$"se of
the l"! of levir"te m"rri"%e& 'his l"! re=ires th"t if " m"rried m"n dies !ithot $hildren+ his
brother shold m"rr) the !ido! "nd be%et $hildren to inherit the de"d m"n3s n"me "nd est"te&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Nbrother7in7l"!N des$ribes the hsb"nd3s brother !ho mst m"rr) the !ido! -Fet&
25:5+:/& 'he !ido! is his b Nsister7in7l"!N -Fet& 25::+9/& NSister7in7l"!N "lso des$ribes the
rel"tion of .th "nd 8rp"h -.th 1:15/+ !ho m"rr) brothers "nd "re both then !ido!ed& 4
rel"ted verb des$ribes the "$tion of $"rr)in% ot the dt) of " hsb"nd3s brother to!"rd his !ife
-Fet& 25::P Gen& 36:6/&
*.5.1.$ Other Rel"to!'
Besides spe$i"l vo$"bl"r) for in7l"!s+ the Bible h"s distin$tive terms des$ribin% $on$bines+
betroth"l+ illi$it nions+ "nd -in Gree*/ m"rri"%e itself&
1n ;h"pter 5+ !e !ill dis$ss the "n$ient $stom of $on$bin"%e+ or m"rri"%e to " sl"ve&
9hile this rel"tionship is vie!ed "s inferior to " fll m"rri"%e+ it is still " le%itim"te nion&
Sometimes it is des$ribed !ith " spe$i"l !ord -for e2"mple+ in Gen& 25:5 "nd 35:22/&
1n bibli$"l $stom+ en%"%ement or betroth"l is "lmost "s serios "n ndert"*in% "s is m"rri"%e
itself& 1n be$omin% en%"%ed+ the m"n p")s " bride7pri$e to his fi"n$ee3s f"ther& ,ebre! ses t!o
distin$tive !ords+ " non "nd " verb+ for this tr"ns"$tion& 'he) "re reserved for dis$ssions of
m"rri"%e+ "nd never refer to %ener"l $ommer$i"l tr"ns"$tions&
'he verb is $ommonl) tr"nsl"ted Nto betroth+N "nd fo$ses espe$i"ll) on p")ment of the
bride7pri$e& 'his "$tion is the step before m"rri"%e in Fet& 20::P 22:23726P 26:30P G2od& 22:15&
F"vid s"tisfies this re=irement for Mi$h"l+ S"l3s d"%hter+ b) sl")in% " hndred Philistines+ 2
S"m& 3:14& 'he Cord+ in des$ribin% his spirit"l m"rri"%e to 1sr"el+ ses this !ord in ,os& 2:19+20
-,ebre! 2:21+22/+ !here he des$ribes the do!r) he h"s p"id "s Nri%hteosness+ (d%ment+
lovin%*indness+ mer$ies+ "nd f"ithflness&N
'he non for the bride7pri$e itself is b& She$hem offers to p") "n "rbitr"ril) l"r%e do!r)
for Fin"h -Gen& 34:12/& 'he !ord des$ribes the Philistines th"t S"l dem"nded of F"vid for
Mi$h"l -1 S"m& 16:25/& 'he "mont involved is set b) $stom+ "nd G2od& 22:1: -,ebre! 22:15/
refers to th"t "mont in settin% the fine for r"pe+ if the %irl3s f"ther forbids the $ople to m"rr)&
'he previos verse ses " rel"ted verb to des$ribe p")ment of the do!r) if the) do m"rr)&
So f"r+ "ll the terms !e h"ve stdied h"ve indi$"ted th"t " le%itim"te nion e2ists bet!een "
m"n "nd " !om"n& 4nother %rop of terms sho! s !hen " nion is definitel) not le%itim"te&
'he Gn%lish versions tr"nsl"te these !ords niforml) in both 'est"ments "s Nforni$"tionN "nd
N"dlter)&N NForni$"tionN refers to "n) ph)si$"l nion not !ithin the bonds of le%itim"te m"rri"%e
or $on$bin"%e+ "nd in$ldes in$est+ r"pe+ prostittion+ "nd %ener"l immor"lit)& 1t is $losel)
rel"ted to " non th"t me"ns Nh"rlotN or Nprostitte&N N4dlter)N refers to "n) ph)si$"l nion in
!hi$h one p"rtner is m"rried to someone else& 'he Cord3s !ords in M"tt& 19:9 sho! th"t !hether
the $he"tin% spose is the hsb"nd or the !ife+ the "$tion is still $"lled N"dlter)&N
,ebre! h"s no $ommon verb !ith the r"n%e of me"nin% of Gn%lish Nto m"rr)+N "nd
o$$rren$es of Nm"rr)N in the Gn%lish 8ld 'est"ment "re s"ll) p"r"phr"ses of less spe$ifi$
,ebre! idioms& Gree*+ tho%h+ does h"ve " %ener"l verb TUVWX Nto m"rr)+N !hi$h indi$"tes the
e2isten$e of " le%itim"te nion bet!een t!o people&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
*.5.$ The L"!,%",e of O:!er'h(
9hen the Bible ses its spe$i"l m"rri"%e vo$"bl"r)+ !e $"n e"sil) identif) the rel"tion bein%
des$ribed "s definitel) le%im"te -or+ in the $"se of N"dlter)N "nd Nforni$"tion+N definitel)
ille%itim"te/& 1n "ddition to these spe$i"l !ords+ the Bible h"s some idioms th"t indi$"te the
e2isten$e of m"rri"%e& 'hese idioms "re m"de p of $ommon !ords th"t in themselves do not
identif) " nion "s le%itim"te or ille%itim"te& G"$h over"ll e2pression+ tho%h+ is re%l"rl) sed
to indi$"te th"t " m"n "nd " !om"n "re m"rried& 'he) "re $onspi$osl) "bsent in des$riptions
of r"pe "nd h"rlotr)&
4 $ommon sem"nti$ element rnnin% thro%h the v"rios bibli$"l idioms for m"rri"%e is the
notion of o!nership& Both ,ebre! "nd Gree* h"ve %ener"l !")s to indi$"te th"t " person o!ns
somethin%& 9hen the Nsomethin%N is " person of the opposite se2+ m"rri"%e is often in vie!&
Most of the e2pressions des$ribe the hsb"nd "s o!nin% the !ife+ bt one ver) $ommon idiom
sho!s $le"rl) th"t the !ife "lso o!ns the hsb"nd& Some of the e2pressions -not"bl) the
%enitive/ $"n e2press other $lose rel"tions besides th"t of o!nership+ bt the $ommon notion in
"ll of these e2pressions is o!nership+ "nd their $ommon se for m"rri"%e brin%s this notion to the
fore&
'his emph"sis on m"rri"%e "s " *ind of o!nership is "s stron% in the Bible "s it is !e"* in
modern so$iet)& 'od") people stron%l) re(e$t "n) s%%estion th"t one person $old o!n "nother+
feelin% th"t s$h "n interpret"tion of m"rri"%e is t"nt"mont to sl"ver)& 'here is "n import"nt
differen$e+ tho%h& Sl"ver) is " one7!") o!nership+ "nd m"rri"%e is t!o7!")& 4bse "nd
oppression in m"rri"%e do not "rise from "n overemph"sis on the notion of o!nership+ bt from
"n nderemph"sis& Be$"se e"$h member o!ns the other+ e"$h is "lso o!ned+ "nd neither is
(stified in "bsin% or e2ploitin% the other& 'he bibli$"l $on$lsion from the interpret"tion of
m"rri"%e "s o!nership is th"t
the woman does not have authority over her own body, but the man does. Similarly, the man does not
have power over his own body, but the woman does !$ .or. A%+&.
'he o!nership e2pressions th"t !e !ill dis$ss "re restri$ted in the Bible to le%itim"te
rel"tionships& 'here "re some other o!nership e2pressions th"t des$ribe illi$it nions& 9e *no!
th"t "n e2pression des$ribes m"rri"%e+ not be$"se it spe"*s of o!nership+ bt be$"se it does
not "ppe"r in des$riptions of r"pe+ h"rlotr)+ or forni$"tion& 1t is interestin%+ tho%h+ th"t !hen !e
h"ve identified the m"rri"%e idioms+ the) emph"si#e o!nership so stron%l)&
Verb' of -%2!, "!# R%l!,.0'he $losest thin% ,ebre! h"s to " verb me"nin% Nto m"rr)N is
l(b Nto rle&N 1t des$ribes "thorit) "nd lordship in %ener"l+ "nd "ppe"rs in this sense in 1 ;hr&
4:22 -of the rlers of Mo"b/ "nd 1s"& 25:13 -of e"rthl) rlers in %ener"l/& 1t is sed spe$ifi$"ll) of
the m"n3s rel"tion to his !om"n in Fet& 24:1+ "nd in Fet& 21:15+ !here it des$ribes
$on$bin"%e&
'he p"ssive form of the verb desi%n"tes " !om"n "s m"rried& 1t des$ribes S"r"h in Gen& 20:3+
"nd is the determinin% f"$tor in identif)in% "n illi$it nion "s "dlter) in Fet& 22:22&
'he rel"ted non is the $losest !ord ,ebre! h"s to Gn%lish Nhsb"nd&N 1t des$ribes
4br"h"m3s rel"tion to S"r"h in Gen& 20:3+ "nd ?ri"h3s rel"tion to B"thsheb" in 2 S"m& 11:25
-se$ond timeP first is Nher m"n&N/ ?nli*e Gn%lish Nhsb"nd+N it is not restri$ted to m"rri"%e+ bt
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
$"n des$ribe " m"n "s the o!ner of "n o2 -G2od& 21:26729/+ " hose -G2od& 2:::/+ or "n "ss -1s"&
1:3/+ "mon% other thin%s&
1n .th 4:10+ Bo"# des$ribes his m"rri"%e to .th !ith the verb Nto "$=ire&N 'he verb
else!here des$ribes the pr$h"se of s$h thin%s "s l"nd -Gen& 4::20/+ sl"ves -Fet& 26:56/+ or "
s"sh -Ler& 13:1/& 1ts se for " !ife $le"rl) illstr"tes ho! m"rri"%e is vie!ed "s " *ind of
o!nership&
The Po''e''1e )e!t1e.0Most referen$es in the Gn%lish Bible to Nhis !ifeN or Nher hsb"ndN
"re liter"ll) Nhis !om"nN or Nher m"nN in the ori%in"l& 'he $onstr$tion is e2"$tl) the s"me "s
th"t sed to des$ribe "n)thin% th"t someone o!ns& Moses ses the $onstr$tion in G2od& 20:1: to
des$ribe not onl) N)or nei%hbor3s !ifeN -liter"ll)+ N)or nei%hbor3s !om"n/+ bt "lso N)or
nei%hbor3s hose+ his m"nserv"nt+ his m"idserv"nt+ his o2+ his "ss&N 1t is this $onstr$tion th"t
sho!s th"t the !ife o!ns the hsb"nd+ (st "s the hsb"nd o!ns the !ife&
'ho%h the nons in these e2pressions liter"ll) me"n Nm"nN "nd N!om"nN inste"d of
Nhsb"ndN "nd N!ife+N the Bible "pplies the e2pressions "lmost e2$lsivel) to le%itim"te nions&
'hs+ in the $onte2t of the !hole idiom+ the tr"nsl"tion Nhsb"ndN or N!ifeN is s"ll)
"ppropri"te+ "nd "$$r"tel) $onve)s the me"nin% of the te2t&
4 fe! of the !ives des$ribed "s Nhis !om"nN "re Gve to 4d"m -Gen& 3:20P 4:1+25/P S"r"h to
4br"h"m -Gen& 12:5+11P 20:2/P Cot3s !ife -Gen& 19:15+25/P M"r) to Loseph -M"tt& 1:20+24/P
Glis"beth to Me$h"ri"h -C*e 1:5+13+16+24/P "nd S"pphir" to 4n"ni"s -4$ts 5:1+:/& 'he v"st
m"(orit) of bibli$"l referen$es to Nhis !ifeN re"ll) refer to Nhis !om"n+N sin% this idiom&
;onversel)+ " !ife3s hsb"nd is Nher m"n&N G2"mples in$lde 4br"h"m to S"r"h -Gen&
15:13/P M"no"h to his !ife -Ld%& 13:9/P Gl="n"h to ,"nn"h -1 S"m& 1:6+23P 2:19/P Phineh"s to
his !ife -1 S"m& 4:19+21/P "nd Ph"ltiel to Mi$h"l -2 S"m& 3:15/& 1n Ld%& 19:3+ even " $on$bine
o!ns Nher m"nN in this !")& 9e !ill see in ;h"pter 5 th"t this o!nership %ives her $ert"in ri%hts
th"t other sl"ves do not en(o)& 1n 2 S"m& 11:25+ ?ri"h is t!i$e identified "s B"thsheb"3s hsb"nd+
first !ith the non la(ab "nd " se$ond time "s Nher m"nN&
'he %enitive is o$$"sion"ll) sed $"s"ll) for "n endrin% nion !ith sli%ht irre%l"rities+ "s
in Ld%es 21:21& 'here it des$ribes !omen *idn"pped from " h"rvest festiv"l to reest"blish the
tribe of Ben("min "fter the other tribes h"ve s!orn " r"sh o"th not to %ive Ben("min their
d"%hters in m"rri"%e& 'he *idn"ppin% is indeed "rr"n%ed b) some of the other tribes+ "s " le%"l
fi$tion: if the men of Ben("min ste"l their d"%hters+ the tribes !ill not be %ilt) of bre"*in% their
o"th& 'he !om"n sei#ed b) e"$h Ben("mite is termed Nhis !om"n+N tho%h the rel"tionship is
one of r"pe "nd not of m"rri"%e& 'he e2pression m") be sed prolepti$"ll)+ bt there is no
indi$"tion in the $onte2t th"t the nions !ere sbse=entl) norm"li#ed !ith the p")ment of the
bride pri$e "s Fet& 22:29 re=ires& More li*el)+ the %enitive is "ppli$"ble to "n) "bidin%
rel"tionship+ most of !hi$h !ill n"tr"ll) be le%itim"te nions r"ther th"n forni$"tion&
<)1e= T".e= -e< :th I!#rect Ob>ect.0Gree* h"s " verb me"nin% simpl) Nto m"rr)+N bt the
,ebre! verbs des$ribin% m"rri"%e "re f"irl) r"re+ "nd "ll fo$s on p"rti$l"r "spe$ts of the
tr"ns"$tion+ s$h "s p")in% the bride7pri$e or est"blishin% "n "lli"n$e bet!een f"milies& 'o
des$ribe m"rri"%e in %ener"l+ ,ebre! ses idioms involvin% the verbs Nto t"*e+N Nto %ive+N "nd
Nto be&N -4nother verb+ Nto lift p+N o$$rs o$$"sion"ll) !here one !old e2pe$t Nto t"*e&N
9e !ill dis$ss it in ;h"pter 6&/
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he b"si$ e2pression is formed !ith the verb Nto be+N "nd "ppe"rs in Gn%lish tr"nsl"tions "s
Nshe be$"me his !ife&N 'his e2pression "ppe"rs in three $onte2ts in the 8ld 'est"ment&
Sometimes it o$$rs "lone+ sometimes it is p"ired !ith Nto t"*e+N "nd sometimes the verb Nto beN
drops ot "nd the e2pression mer%es !ith Nto t"*eN or Nto %ive&N
'he b"si$ e2pression "ppe"rs in the Gn%lish Bible in the !ords+ Nshe be$"me his !ife&N 'his
tr"nsl"tion overst"tes thin%s " bit& 4s s"l+ N!ifeN here simpl) tr"nsl"tes the ,ebre! !ord for
N!om"n+N so th"t !e mi%ht render the e2pression+ Nshe be$"me his !om"n&N 1n Gn%lish+ tho%h+
these !ords $old des$ribe forni$"tion+ !hile in ,ebre! the) "re restri$ted to le%itim"te nions&
'he notion is not (st th"t Nshe be$"me his+N "n idiom th"t $"n des$ribe " $"s"l nion -Ld%es
15:2/& 'he ,ebre! idiom emph"si#es th"t she "ssmes !ith respe$t to him the p"rti$l"r role of
N!om"n+N !ith "ll the e$hoes of the episode in !hi$h she re$eived th"t title -Gen& 2:16725/&
'he s"me $onstr$tion "ppe"rs t!i$e in the $ommon st"tement of God to 1sr"el+ N>o sh"ll
be m) people "nd 1 sh"ll be )or God&N 1n one sense+ ever) n"tion belon%s to God+ "nd God is
God over them "ll& 'his e2pression+ tho%h+ emph"si#es the spe$i"l+ sele$tive rel"tionship th"t
binds God "nd 1sr"el to%ether& So "lso+ the idiom Nshe be$"me his !om"nN refle$ts the spe$i"l
o!nership of " le%itim"te nion&
M"rri"%es des$ribed !ith this idiom in$lde S"r"h "nd 4br"h"m -Gen& 20:12/P 4bi%"il "nd
F"vid -1 S"m& 25:42/P B"thsheb" "nd F"vid -2 S"m& 11:2:/P 4h"b3s d"%hter "nd Lehor"m -2
Din%s 6:16/P "nd '"b"t "nd Ben74bin"d"b -1 Din%s 4:11/&
'he most form"l 8ld 'est"ment idiom for m"rri"%e reslts from $ombinin% the e2pression
Nshe be$"me his !om"nN !ith the $l"se Nhe too* her&N B) itself+ Nhe too* herN does not impl)
m"rri"%e+ "nd $"n even des$ribe r"pe -Gen& 34:2/& 'he $omposite e2pression+ tho%h+ o$$rs
onl) !ith tre m"rri"%es: Nhe too* her "nd she be$"me his !om"n&N 1t des$ribes the m"rri"%e of
1s""$ "nd .ebe$$" -Gen& 24:5:/+ F"vid "nd B"thsheb" -2 S"m& 12:10/+ "nd .th "nd Bo"# -.th
4:13/&
Citer"ll)+ the form"l idiom is+ Nhe too* her+ "nd she !"s to him "s " !om"n&N 'he most
$ommon verb"l idioms for m"rri"%e h"ve "ll the p"rts of this e2pression e2$ept for N"nd she
!"s&N 'he) o$$r both !ith Nto t"*e+N des$ribin% the role of the hsb"nd "nd his f"mil)+ "nd !ith
Nto %ive+N des$ribin% the role of the !ife3s f"mil)&
9ith Nto t"*e+N this e2pression emph"si#es the role of the hsb"nd "nd his f"mil): Nhe too*
her to him "s " !om"n&N 'his e2pression "ppe"rs in Gn%lish tr"nsl"tions in s$h forms "s "s Nhe
too* her to him to !ife+N Nhe too* her for his !ife+N or Nhe too* her to be his !ife&N ?s"ll) the
m"n himself t"*es his !ife+ bt sometimes the sb(e$t of the verb is his f"ther or mother& Men
!ho t"*e their o!n !ives in$lde Ph"r"oh t"*in% S"r"h -Gen& 12:19/P 1s""$ t"*in% .ebe$$"
-Gen& 25:20/P Gs" t"*in% M"2l"t -Gen& 26:9/P "nd F"vid t"*in% 4bi%"il -1 S"m& 25:39+40/&
P"rents !ho t"*e !ives for their sons in$lde ,"mor re=estin% Fin"h for She$hem -Gen& 34:4/
"nd S"mson3s p"rents t"*in% " Philistine %irl for him -Ld%& 14:2/&
4 simil"r idiom st"tes+ Nhe too* to him " !om"n&N 1n this $"se+ no p"rti$l"r !om"n is
n"med+ "nd the e2pression h"s " me"nin% simil"r to Nhe %ot m"rried&N G2"mples in$lde C"me$h
-Gen& 4:19/& 4br"h"m ses this e2pression sever"l times !hen he sends his serv"nt to find "
bride+ "s )et nidentified+ for 1s""$: N'"*e to him " !om"n+N or "s !e mi%ht s")+ NGet him "
!ifeN -Gen& 24:4+ :+ 3:+ 36+ 40/&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
4 still simpler e2pression+ Nhe too* " !om"n+N seems to h"ve " simil"r me"nin% in Gen& 25:1
-des$ribin% 4br"h"m "nd his $on$bine Detr"h/ "nd Ler& 29:5& 9e shold be $"tios+ tho%h+
sin$e the e2pression Nhe too* I+N !here I is " spe$ifi$ !om"n+ $"n "lso refer to "n illi$it nion+
"s in the r"pe of Fin"h -Gen& 34:2/&
'he b"si$ idiom !ith Nto %iveN is+ Nhe Yt)pi$"ll) the %irl3s f"ther or brotherZ %"ve her to him
Ythe bride%roomZ "s " !om"n&N G2"mples in$lde ;"leb %ivin% his d"%hter 4$hs"h to 8thniel
-Losh& 15:1:P Ld%& 1:13/P ."$hel %ivin% her h"ndm"id Bilh" to L"$ob "s his $on$bine -Gen&
30:4P $f& 30:9/P "nd Ph"r"oh %ivin% his sb(e$t 4sen"th to Loseph -Gen& 41:45/&
Se?%"l o:!er'h( "("rt from m"rr",e.0'he bibli$"l m"rri"%e idioms "ll refle$t o!nership+
bt not "ll o!nership e2pressions "re restri$ted to m"rri"%e&
1n Gen& 34:2+ the !ords+ Nhe too* her+N des$ribe the r"pe of Fin"h+ !hile the e2pression t!o
verses l"ter+ Nt"*e this %irl to me "s " !om"nN is " re=est to "rr"n%e " form"l m"rri"%e& 'he
"ddition of the !ords N"s " !om"nN to the l"tter e2pression distin%ishes it from the former one+
"nd sho!s th"t it refle$ts o!nership in m"rri"%e r"ther th"n simpl) ph)si$"l possession&
Ld%es 14 re$ords the betroth"l "nd !eddin% fe"st of S"mson to his Philistine !ife& 4fter the
!eddin% he le"ves her for " se"son+ "nd her f"ther %ives her to "nother m"n& 9hen S"mson
retrns to en(o) his $on(%"l ri%hts+ her f"ther e2pl"ins th"t she no! belon%s to someone else+
"nd offers S"mson her sister+ !ith the !ords+ Nlet her be )ors inste"dN -Ld%es 15:2/& 'he point
"t isse is ph)si$"l nion+ not " form"l m"rri"%e+ for there is no mention of " betroth"l or
m"rri"%e fe"st for the se$ond %irl+ onl) of S"mson possessin% her& 'he f"ther3s offer refle$ts
o!nership "p"rt from m"rri"%e&
1n the @e! 'est"ment+ the verb W[X Nto h"veN des$ribes ph)si$"l nion+ bt does not impl)
m"rri"%e& 1n Lohn 4:16+ the Cord Less tells the !om"n "t the !ell of S)$h"r th"t the m"n N!hom
)o h"ve is not )or m"n&N N>or m"nN is the st"nd"rd idiom for hsb"nd& 'he m"n in =estion
is not her hsb"nd+ tho%h she Nh"s himN in the sense of ph)si$"l rel"tions& Lohn the B"ptist
reb*es ,erod for t"*in% his brother3s !ife !ith the !ords+ N1t is not l"!fl for )o to h"ve herN
-M"tt& 14:4/& P"l reb*es the ;orinthi"ns for their toler"n$e of the sh"mefl sin+ Nth"t one
shold h"ve his f"ther3s !om"nN -1 ;or& 5:1/& 1n e"$h $"se+ the verb Nto h"veN emph"si#es
ph)si$"l nion+ "nd is not restri$ted to le%itim"te m"rri"%e&
*.5.* S%mm"r2
'he Bible3s l"n%"%e for des$ribin% m"rri"%e does not line p e2"$tl) !ith Gn%lish terminolo%)+
bt it does h"ve its o!n intern"l lo%i$ th"t "llo!s s to re$o%ni#e le%itim"te nions& 1n "ddition to
spe$ifi$ te$hni$"l terms for the rel"tionships "mon% f"milies th"t m"rri"%e prod$es+ the Bible
h"s "n e2tensive set of idioms th"t des$ribe m"rri"%e in terms of mt"l o!nership& 'hese
bibli$"l !ords "nd e2pressions form the fond"tion of or nderst"ndin% of m"rri"%e+ "nd ths of
divor$e+ in the Bible&
*.8 I' " +"rr",e " Co1e!"!t0
1n this $h"pter "nd thro%hot this boo*+ 1 fre=entl) emph"si#e th"t m"rri"%e is " $oven"nt& 'his
position is not nivers"ll) held+ espe$i"ll) "mon% Le!ish s$hol"rs& For inst"n$e+ Moshe
Greenber% 1963:2::72:6 insists th"t the "ppli$"tion of $oven"nt terminolo%) to m"rri"%e in
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
G#e*& 15:6 is onl) met"phori$"l& ,e feels th"t the vie! of m"rri"%e "s " $oven"nt rests onl) on
M"l& 2:14 "nd Prov& 2:1:+ p"ss"%es for !hi$h other interpret"tions e2ist&
'he e2isten$e of other interpret"tions for M"l& 2:14 "nd Prov& 2:1: does not in itself
inv"lid"te the interpret"tion !hi$h nderst"nds N$oven"ntN in these p"ss"%es "s referrin% to "
m"rri"%e $oven"nt& S$hol"rs prob"bl) hesit"te here be$"se the) do not !"nt to introd$e "
notion to these t!o te2ts th"t is not "ttested else!here in the 8ld 'est"ment& ,o!ever+ these
p"ss"%es "re not the sole b"sis for seein% m"rri"%e "s " $oven"nt& 4t le"st t!o other str"nds of
eviden$e $"n be $ited& the "lle%or) of G#e*iel 15+ "nd the se of the verb to des$ribe m"rit"l
nf"ithflness&
*.8.1 The Alle,or2 of E4e.el 1@
Greenber% r"ises the isse of !hether m"rri"%e is " $oven"nt be$"se the p"ss"%e he is
e2pondin%+ G#e*iel 15+ des$ribes it "s one& 'he Cord des$ribes 1sr"el "s "n "b"ndoned !"if+ "nd
himself "s " p"sserb) !ho dis$overs her+ r"ises her to m"trit)+ "nd then m"rries her& 'heir nion
is des$ribed !ith the !ords+
' spread my skirt over you, and ' covered your nakedness, and ' swore an oath to you, and ' entered
into covenant with you, ... and you became mine !$1%E&.
'he !ord N$oven"ntN "lso "ppe"rs e2pli$itl) in G#e*& 15:50+52&
@o one =estions th"t 1sr"el is in $oven"nt !ith the Cord& 'he re"lit) of !hi$h G#e*iel 15 is "
pi$tre in$ldes the $oven"nt God m"de !ith the n"tion "t Mont Sin"i& 'he =estion is !hether
the referen$e to N$oven"ntN in 15:6 is p"rt of the met"phor+ des$ribin% " m"rri"%e $oven"nt+ or
!hether "t th"t point the prophet drops ot of met"phori$"l l"n%"%e to refer to the re"lit) th"t
the met"phor represents&
'he p"ss"%e is smoother rhetori$"ll) if N$oven"ntN here refers to the m"rri"%e+ !ith "n
"llsion to the $oven"nt of Sin"i+ ths preservin% the $ontinit) of the met"phor& Frthermore+
!e $"n better nderst"nd the se of m"rri"%e "s " met"phor for 1sr"el3s $oven"nt rel"tion to the
Cord if m"rri"%e is "lso " $oven"nt& 'he notion of $oven"nt rel"tion be$omes one of the $ommon
points bet!een im"%e "nd re"lit) th"t m"*es the met"phor possible&
*.8.$ The U'e of
1n this $h"pter "nd ;h"pter :+ !e note the se of the ,ebre! verb to des$ribe viol"tion of
m"rit"l responsibilities& 'hro%hot the 8ld 'est"ment+ this verb is " te$hni$"l term for bre"$h of
$oven"nt& 1ts se !ith referen$e to m"rri"%e is stron% eviden$e th"t m"rri"%e is "lso $onsidered "
$oven"nt&
Grl"ndsson 19:4:4:074:3 "n"l)#es the o$$rren$es of the verb into for $"te%ories& 'he first
is m"rri"%e& 'he se$ond is 1sr"el3s $oven"nt !ith the Cord& 'he third is m"n3s rel"tion to the
$re"ted order+ !hi$h $"n be tr"$ed to the $oven"nt God est"blished !ith m"n thro%h @o"h in
Genesis 9& 'he forth is hm"n "%reements "nd tre"ties& 'he l"st three "ll involve $oven"nts of
one form or "nother& So it is re"son"ble to nderst"nd the se of the term !ith referen$e to
m"rri"%e to impl) th"t m"rri"%e is "lso " $oven"nt rel"tionship&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
*.@ Are -ro.e! Co1e!"!t' D''ol1e#0
'he observ"tion th"t m"rri"%e is " $oven"nt h"s led some !riters to $on$lde th"t sin$e
$oven"nts $"n be bro*en+ so $"n m"rri"%e+ le"vin% the p"rtners free to rem"rr)& 'his "r%ment is
the $ornerstone of "n el"bor"te tre"tise b) 9illi"m C$* -196:/& 'o hi%hli%ht the isses+ !e !ill
dis$ss his position "s "n e2"mple+ first otlinin% its b"si$ elements+ then e2"minin% his
$on$lsion&
C$*3s position h"s three m"in elements&
First+ he distin%ishes bet!een nil"ter"l $oven"nts imposed b) " soverei%n on " sb(e$t+ "nd
bil"ter"l $oven"nts in !hi$h the p"rties "re of e="l st"ndin%+ "nd "r%es th"t the 8ld 'est"ment
sho!s m"rri"%e to be bil"ter"l& ;itin% Dillen "nd .e" 19:5+ he m"int"ins th"t s$h $oven"nts
persist onl) "s lon% "s both p"rties "$$ept "nd flfill their $onditions&
'hen he see*s to est"blish !h"t vo!s the m"rri"%e $oven"nt in$ldes& 'ho%h the 8ld
'est"ment no!here enmer"tes these vo!s in so m"n) !ords+ ind$tive std) of sever"l
p"ss"%es s%%ests th"t the m"n is responsible to provide for the !ife3s bodil) needs -G2od&
21:10/+ to be present !ith her+ not to "bse her bod) -G2od& 21:25/+ "nd to prote$t her rept"tion
-Fet& 22:19/+ "nd th"t the !om"n is responsible to be f"ithfl to her hsb"nd -@m& 5:19/+ not
to "bse his bod)+ "nd to be present !ith him& C$* $on$ldes th"t viol"tion of "n) of these
provisions bre"*s the $oven"nt&
For or prposes+ the most import"nt step in his "r%ment is the $on$lsion -55/ th"t NSin$e
m"rri"%e is " bil"ter"l $oven"nt+ the $oven"nt is trl) bro*en !hen one p"rt) f"ils to *eep the
vo!s\& 1mplied in this 3bre"*in%3 is th"t the mor"l obli%"tion of the 3inno$ent3 p"rt) to *eep
flfillin% his or her side of the "%reement is te$hni$"ll) ended&N 'h"t is+ C$* "ssmes th"t on$e "
$oven"nt -"t le"st " bil"ter"l $oven"nt/ is bro*en+ "ll of its terms "re $"n$elled& 1n p"rti$l"r+
!hen " m"rri"%e $oven"nt is bro*en+ the m"rri"%e $e"ses to e2ist&
4ll three steps in this "r%ment h"ve serios methodolo%i$"l fl"!s&
-l"ter"l "!# U!l"ter"l Co1e!"!t'.0'he distin$tion bet!een bil"ter"l "nd nil"ter"l
$oven"nts on the b"sis of the e="lit) or ine="lit) of the p"rties is diffi$lt to sst"in+ sin$e
-settin% "side m"rri"%e/+ ever) other $ontr"$t in the Bible th"t is e2pli$itl) $"lled " $oven"nt is
bet!een " sperior "nd "n inferior+ most $ommonl) bet!een God "nd his people& 1t is !ell
*no!n -Dit$hen 1955/ th"t even these Ndivine $oven"ntsN "re p"tterned "fter $ontempor"r)
hm"n $oven"nts& 1n f"$t+ in $l"ssif)in% the $oven"nt of Sin"i "s bil"ter"l -196::30/+ C$*
impli$itl) viol"tes his o!n definitions& 'he bibli$"l eviden$e !old s%%est th"t "ll $oven"nts "re
bil"ter"l+ in th"t the) involve t!o p"rtiesP "ll "re $ondition"l+ in th"t the) obli%"te the p"rti$ip"nts
to $ert"in "$tionsP "nd "ll "re bet!een " sperior "nd "n inferior p"rt)& 1n$ident"ll)+ this insi%ht
sho!s th"t sbmission in m"rri"%e is not " @e! 'est"ment "ddition to the 8ld 'est"ment
$on$ept+ "s C$* s%%ests+ bt r"ther -"s his $it"tion of 1 Pet& 3:5+5 shold h"ve led him to
re"li#e/ inte%r"l to the notion of m"rri"%e "s " $oven"nt&
The Co1e!"!t ReA%reme!t'.09hile the m"rri"%e $oven"nt $ert"inl) h"s re=irements+ one is
n$omfort"ble !ith the methodolo%) b) !hi$h C$* derives these re=irements& Sever"l of the
$onditions th"t he proposes "re mentioned onl) in l"!s $on$ernin% sl"ves "nd $on$bines+ "nd
re=ire "n "r%ment a fortiori to e2tend them to m"rri"%e& Gven then+ it is not $le"r th"t "ll the
provisions he identifies $onstitte bre"$h of $oven"nt& For e2"mple+ C$* $ites G2od& 21:9+10 "s
eviden$e th"t the $oven"nt binds the m"n to provide for his !ife3s bodil) needs+ bt in f"$t it is
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
onl) sellin% the $on$bine ot of the f"mil) th"t the p"ss"%e identifies "s bre"$h of $oven"nt+ "s
!e !ill dis$ss l"ter& 'he provisions of 21:10 "re presented+ not "s $oven"nt vo!s+ bt "s oscb
z Nthe $stom of d"%htersN -21:9/+ the so$i"ll) "$$ept"ble !") to tre"t " dependent !om"n
in one3s hosehold& 9e simpl) do not h"ve "n e2h"stive list of the provisions of the m"rri"%e
$oven"nt preserved for s in the 8ld 'est"ment&
The Re'%lt' of -re"ch of Co1e!"!t.0C$* see*s " pre$ise identifi$"tion of the $oven"nt
$onditions be$"se of his $on$lsion th"t " bro*en $oven"nt $e"ses to be bindin%+ "nd his desire
to m"*e more pre$ise nder !h"t terms the m"rri"%e $oven"nt is dissolved& ,e derives the
$on$lsion th"t " bro*en $oven"nt is dissolved rhetori$"ll)+ !ithot "n) "ppe"l to bibli$"l d"t"+
"nd in f"$t there "re no bibli$"l e2"mples of !h"t h"ppens in " hm"n $oven"nt to the
obli%"tions of one p"rt) !hen the other p"rt) bre"*s the $oven"nt& 9e do h"ve "bnd"nt
te"$hin% "bot God3s $oven"nt !ith 1sr"el "t Sin"i& C$* himself $onsiders this " Nbil"ter"lN
$oven"nt+ "nd it is the b"sis of the propheti$ met"phor "bot God3s m"rri"%e to 1sr"el&
Frthermore+ tho%h it is bet!een God "nd 1sr"el r"ther th"n bet!een t!o hm"ns+ it follo!s the
form of prel) hm"n s#er"int) tre"ties+ so the d"t" it offers !old seem to be relev"nt& Sever"l
p"ss"%es sho! th"t bre"$h of this $oven"nt b) one p"rt) does not dissolve the "%reement&
'he first s$h p"ss"%e is Cev& 25:15744& Eerse 15 "nti$ip"tes th"t 1sr"el m") bre"* the
Sin"iti$ $oven"nt& 'he follo!in% verses+ thro%h verse 43+ otline the (d%ments th"t God !ill
brin% pon them "s " $onse=en$e of their "$tion& Std) of se$l"r $oven"nts from the "n$ient
!orld sho!s th"t s$h (d%ments "re "s m$h " p"rt of the $oven"nt "s "re the blessin%s th"t the
$oven"nt promises to those !ho *eep it -Dit$hen 1955:92793/& 'h"t is+ the $oven"nt spe$ifies not
onl) !h"t 1sr"el mst do+ bt !h"t God !ill do to her if she bre"*s the $oven"nt& 1f people in the
"n$ient !orld $onsidered " $oven"nt to be dissolved the moment one p"rt) bro*e it+ it !old
m"*e no sense to embed s$h s"n$tions in the $oven"nt+ for the ver) "$t th"t bre"*s the $oven"nt
"nd ths $"lls the s"n$tions into "$tion !old remove the le%"l b"sis for the "%%rieved p"rt) to
invo*e them&
Gven more dire$t eviden$e for the persisten$e of the $oven"nt "fter one p"rt) bre"*s it is the
verse immedi"tel) "fter the re$it"l of the pnishments+ Cev& 25:44& God promises th"t in spite of
1sr"el3s bre"$h of $oven"nt+ "nd in spite of the (d%ments th"t he !ill send on her "s " reslt+ he
!ill not Nbre"* YhisZ $oven"nt !ith them&N .e%"rdless of 1sr"el3s rebellion+ he $onsiders himself
still bond nder the terms of the $oven"nt+ so th"t to devi"te from it !old be to bre"* it&
'he boo* of Leremi"h refle$ts the s"me $ons$iosness th"t bre"$h of $oven"nt b) one p"rt)
does not dissolve the !hole "rr"n%ement& 1n Ler& 11:10+ God de$l"res+ The house of 'srael and the
house of @udah have broken my covenant which ' made with their fathers+ "nd in 14:20 the people
"$*no!led%e th"t the) h"ve indeed sinned& >et the) %o on to ple"d in 14:21+ do not disgrace your
glorious throneH remember, do not break your covenant with us& 4$$ordin% to their $on$ept of $oven"nt+
it !old dis%r"$e God3s ri%hteos rle for him to bre"* his $oven"nt+ even tho%h the) h"ve
"lre"d) bro*en it] 'he $oven"nt $ontines in for$e even tho%h one p"rt) h"s bro*en it&
Ps& 105 des$ribes ho! 1sr"el sins repe"tedl) "%"inst the Cord+ "nd ho! he pnishes them& 1n
spite of their bl"t"nt disre%"rd of the $oven"nt+ verse 45 $l"ims th"t God h"s mer$) on them
be$"se he remembered for them his covenant& 8n$e "%"in+ the $oven"nt persists even tho%h one
p"rt) bre"*s it&
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'he $oven"nt of Sin"i is fin"ll) rendered ineffe$tive+ bt not be$"se one p"rt) bre"*s it& 1t
$ontines "s " bindin% $oven"nt thro%h the "n"r$h) of the period of the (d%es+ the idol"tr) of
the divided *in%dom+ the (d%ments of 4ss)ri"n "nd B"b)loni"n $"ptivit)+ "nd the repe"ted
l"pses of the restor"tion& 1n spite of 1sr"el3s sin+ the $oven"nt persists ntil ;hrist& 'hen it fin"ll)
be$omes ineffe$tive+ not be$"se people bre"* it+ bt be$"se the Messi"h flfills "nd $ompletes
it -2 ;or& 3:14 YGree*ZP ,eb& 6:13/&
'hs the bibli$"l d"t" sho! th"t bre"$h of $oven"nt does not dissolve the $oven"nt+ "t le"st
for the onl) $oven"nt on !hi$h !e h"ve eno%h inform"tion to dr"! " $on$lsion& M"rri"%e is "
$oven"nt+ "nd m"n) "$tions m") viol"te its terms+ bt none of these $"n "nnl it or e2$se either
p"rt) from frther obedien$e&
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PART II:
INTERPRETATION: THE -I-LICAL TEBTS ON DIVORCE
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CHAPTER 5
THE LAW OF +OSES AND FORNICATION
1n the l"st $h"pter+ !e le"rned th"t God h"s %iven $ivil %overnment the responsibilit) to define
st"nd"rds "nd re%l"tions for m"rri"%e& God %"ve "n$ient 1sr"el+ "s " $ivi$ bod)+ m"n) st"ttes
$on$ernin% m"rri"%e "nd the home& 'he C"! of Moses not onl) defines m"rri"%e+ bt "lso !"rns
"%"inst forni$"tion "nd "dlter)& 1n this $h"pter !e std) Fet& 22:13729+ !here m"n) of these
!"rnin%s "ppe"r to%ether&
1n " modern l"! boo*+ " det"iled t"ble of $ontents+ bold7f"$ed he"din%s+ indent"tion+
different si#es of t)pe+ "nd other t)po%r"phi$"l devi$es sho! s the str$tre "nd or%"ni#"tion of
the l"!s& 'hese devi$es do not "ppe"r in "n$ient boo*s& 1n their pl"$e+ s)mmetri$"l p"tterns of
repetition sho! s !here se$tions be%in "nd end+ "nd indi$"te their inner str$tre& Feteronom)
22 is "n e2$ellent e2"mple of this te$hni=e&
9e be%in b) '%r1e2!, the str$tre of the se$tion th"t dis$sses forni$"tion "nd
"dlter)&
9hen !e nderst"nd this str$tre+ !e $"n std) e"$h l"! #et"l .
'he det"iled std) r"ises t!o A%e'to!' th"t !e see* to "ns!er&
Fin"ll)+ !e smm"ri#e some of the (r!c(le' th"t !e le"rn from the p"ss"%e&
5.1 S%r1e2 of De%t. $$:1*;$C
'here "re five m"in l"!s in Fet& 22:13729+ be%innin% "t verses 13+ 22+ 23+ 25+ "nd 26& G"$h l"!
be%ins !ith the !ords N1f " m"n &&& N or N1f " d"msel &&& +N "nd dis$sses three points:
1& the m"rit"l st"ts of the !om"nP
2& "n illi$it ph)si$"l nion bet!een the !om"n "nd some m"n+ in !hi$h the m"n is "l!")s
%ilt) "nd the !om"n is sometimes inno$ent "nd sometimes %ilt)P
3& the $onse=en$es for the !om"n -"nd the m"n+ if he $"n be identified/&
'o m"*e these ide"s $le"r+ !e print the te2t !ith notes "lon% the side sho!in% !here the
p"r"%r"phs be%in+ "nd identif)in% the !ords "nd phr"ses th"t sho! the !om"n3s st"ts+ her %ilt
or inno$en$e+ "nd the $onse=en$es&
Fr't P"r",r"(h= 1er'e' 1*;$1:
1. Woman
married
If a man takes a wife and goes in unto her, and hates her, and lodges irresponsible charges, and brings
up an evil name upon her, and says, "I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid,"
then the father of the damsel and her mother shall take and bring out
2. Woman
innocent
the tokens of the damsel's virginity to the elders of the city in the gate. The damsels father shall say to
the elders, "I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he hates her, and look, he has lodged
irresponsible charges." ... Then the elders of that city shall take that man and
!. "onse#uence
chastise him, and they shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver, and shall give them to the father of the
damsel, ... and she shall be his wife. He may not put her away all his days .
2. Woman guilty
$ut if this thing is true , and the tokens of virginity are not found for the damsel, then they shall bring out
the damsel to the door of her fathers house, and the men of her city shall
!. "onse#uence stone her with stones , so that she dies , and you shall put the evil away from among you.
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Seco!# P"r",r"(h= 1er'e $$:
1. Woman
married
If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband ,
!. "onse#uence
then both of them shall die , both the man who lay with the woman, and the woman, and you shall put
away the evil from Israel.
Thr# P"r",r"(h= 1er'e' $*;$5:
1. Woman
engaged
If a damsel who is a virgin is betrothed to a man, and a man finds her in the city, and lies with her, then
you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city,
!. "onse#uence and you shall stone them with stones, so that they die ,
2. Woman
presumed guilty
the damsel, because she cried not , being in the city, and the man, because he has humbled his
neighbors wife, and you shall put away the evil from among you.
Fo%rth P"r",r"(h= 1er'e' $8;$D:
1. Woman
engaged
$ut if a man finds a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man forces her, and lies with her,
!. "onse#uence then only the man who lay with her shall die. Unto the damsel you shall do nothing .
2. Woman
innocent
There is in the damsel no sin worthy of death. ... %or he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel
cried, and there was none to save her.
Ffth P"r",r"(h= 1er'e' $E;$C:
1. Woman single
If a man finds a damsel who is a virgin, who is not betrothed , and lays hold on her, and lies with her,
and they are found,
!. "onse#uence
then the man who lay with her shall give the damsels father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his
wife. $ecause he has humbled her, he may not put her away all his days .
'"ble 1 smm"ri#es the entire p"ss"%e&
T"ble 1: S%mm"r2 of De%tero!om2 $$
Section
Woman's
Status
Woman
uilty!
"onse#uences
22&1!'21 The Wife (ccused
)arried
1*'1+ ,o -usband fined. may never put her away
2/'21 0es Wife e1ecuted by stoning.
22&22 The (dulteress 2iscovered ,ot 3tated Wife and illicit partner e1ecuted.
22&2!'24 2efiled in the "ity
5ngaged
6resumed 0es )an and woman both e1ecuted.
22&2*'27 2efiled in the "ountry 6resumed ,o 8nly man e1ecuted. woman goes free.
22&29'2+ 3ingle :irl 2efiled 3ingle ,ot 3tated )an must marry woman. can never put her away.
5.$ A Clo'er Loo.
@o! th"t !e see ho! these l"!s "re or%"ni#ed+ !e %ive or "ttention to e"$h of them in more
det"il&
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5.$.1 The Wfe Acc%'e#= $$:1*;$1
'he first $"se th"t Moses dis$sses is th"t of " m"n !ho "$$ses his !ife of mor"l imprit)
before m"rri"%e:
' took this woman, and when ' came to her, ' found her not a maid !""%$+&.
'he elders of the $it) mst de$ide !hether the !om"n is %ilt) or inno$ent& 'he) b"se their
de$ision on the Nto*ens of vir%init)N preserved b) the !ife3s p"rents&
'his is the onl) Bible p"ss"%e to mention these to*ens& Le!ish $stom of the first fe!
$entries 4&F&+ "nd m$h l"ter 4r"b $stom+ s%%ests th"t the) "re linens from the npti"l bed+
be"rin% blood st"ins th"t sho! th"t the hsb"nd is the bride3s first p"rtner& 'he m"rri"%e fe"st
l"sted sever"l d")s be)ond the !eddin% ni%ht+ "nd the sheets !ere displ")ed to the %ests+ then
$"refll) preserved b) the bride3s p"rents&
1f the p"rents $"n prod$e these $loths+ the elders -!ho !old $ert"inl) h"ve been present "t
the m"rri"%e fe"st/ "re e2pe$ted to re$o%ni#e them "nd pronon$e the !om"n inno$ent& 'hen
the) $h"stise the m"n+ fine him+ "nd forbid him ever to pt "!") his !ife&
1f+ on the other h"nd+ no one presents the to*ens of vir%init)+ the elders de$l"re the !om"n
%ilt) of the $h"r%e+ "nd $ondemn her to de"th b) stonin%& 'his effe$tivel) dissolves the nion+
"nd the m"n is free to rem"rr)&
;riosl)+ the te2t s")s nothin% "bot the m"n !ith !hom the !om"n $ommitted forni$"tion&
1t seems nf"ir to le"ve him npnished+ !hile brin%in% s$h " h"rsh (d%ment on the !om"n&
9e !ill dis$ss this problem "fter !e h"ve smm"ri#ed the other $"ses&
5.$.$ The A#%ltere'' D'co1ere#= $$:$$
'he $"se of " m"rried !om"n dis$overed !ith " m"n !ho is not her hsb"nd is short "nd to the
point& 'he) both die& 'heir sin is "dlter)+ sin$e the !om"n is m"rried& 'here is no =estion
either !h"t h"ppened+ or !ho the m"n is+ sin$e the) "re dis$overed !hile to%ether&
'his is the l"! invo*ed b) the s$ribes "nd Ph"risees in Lohn 6:1711&
The scribes and #harisees brought to I@esusJ a woman caught in adultery, and when they had set her in
the midst, they say to him, C;aster, we found this woman in the act, committing adultery. ;oses in
our 7aw commanded us to stone such women. /ow% what do you say about herGC !@ohn E%0>?&
'he Cord points ot their o!n sinflness+ "nd the) slin* "!")+ $ondemned b) their o!n
$ons$ien$es& 'hen he "s*s the !om"n+
C9oman, where are your accusersG as no man condemned youGC She said, C/o man, 7ord.C Then @esus
said to her, C/either do ' condemn you. Go, and from now on sin no moreC !@ohn E%$B>$$&.
9h) does he p"ss over her sin so li%htl)H Moses re=ires both the m"n "nd the !om"n to
die& 'here is no re"son+ if the) "re $"%ht in the "$t+ for onl) one to be "$$sed& >et the s$ribes
"nd Ph"risees brin% onl) the !om"n+ not the m"n+ to Less& 9ithot both p"rties+ the l"! $"nnot
be s"tisfied+ even if the s$ribes st") to press $h"r%es& 1n f"$t+ the) "b"ndon the $"se+ "nd !ithot
the !itnesses re=ired b) Moses -Fet& 19:15/+ even the !om"n $"nnot le%"ll) be prose$ted&
'he Cord3s "$tions "re $ompletel) in *eepin% !ith the C"! of Moses&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
5.$.* Defle# ! the Ct2= $$:$*;$5
4n en%"%ed %irl "tt"$*ed in the $it) is e2e$ted+ "lon% !ith her "tt"$*er+ because she cried not& 'hese
!ords tell s th"t if she does $r) ot+ she !ill be "$=itted& 4 person !ho $ries for help in "n
"n$ient $it) $"n $ont on bein% he"rd& 'he hoses st"nd $lose to%ether+ often sh"rin% !"lls+ "nd
there is no motor tr"ffi$ to dro!n ot voi$es& 1f people do not le"rn "bot the event ntil l"ter+
the) !ill re"son+ N@o one he"rd her $r)+ therefore she did not $r)+ therefore she "$=ies$ed in the
sin+ therefore she is %ilt)&N
5.$.5 Defle# ! the Co%!tr2= $$:$8;$D
1f " %irl is not he"rd in the $it)+ the l"! presmes she is %ilt)& 1n the $ontr)+ on the other h"nd+
she is presmed inno$ent& F"r "!") from other people+ she mi%ht !ell $r) ot !ithot bein%
he"rd&
1n ever) se$tion other th"n this one+ the !om"n is either stoned if %ilt) -20721+ 22+ 23724/ or
%"r"nteed " se$re m"rri"%e for life if inno$ent -15719+ 26729/& 1n this $"se+ the vi$tim is (d%ed
inno$ent+ bt nothin% is s"id "bot her $omin% m"rri"%e&
People in Bible times $"re deepl) "bot f"mil) lines "nd the le%itim"$) of their $hildren& 4
m"n !hose fi"n$ee is molested "!") from the $it) m") !ell believe th"t she is inno$ent+ "nd still
not !ish to m"rr) her& ,e mi%ht fe"r th"t if he did %o thro%h !ith the !eddin%+ people !old
=estion !ho !"s the re"l f"ther of his first $hild& Frthermore+ tho%h !e nderst"nd the l"!3s
f"irness in "ssmin% th"t the damsel cried, and there was none to save her+ the hsb"nd mi%ht be n"ble
to es$"pe " n"%%in% =estion "bot her prit) in the m"tter& Moses3 l"! le"ves the !om"n3s f"te
open& She is not to be e2e$ted+ bt she m") lose her fi"n$e&
'his p"r"%r"ph e2pl"ins Loseph3s beh"vior !hen M"r) was found with child of the oly Ghost
-M"tt& 1:16/& 4t first he does not nderst"nd the Spirit3s role+ "nd $"n onl) $on$lde th"t she is
involved in forni$"tion& M"tthe! des$ribes him "s a :ust man+ " m"n !ho lives "$$ordin% to the
st"nd"rds of God3s l"!& 'he l"! $ondemns forni$"tors to de"th+ )et Loseph resolves to put M"r)
away privately+ "nd "llo! her to live& 1t is Fet& 22:2572: th"t lets him sp"re her life& ,e "ssmes
th"t she !"s for$ed "%"inst her !ill in the $ontr)+ "nd so is inno$ent& 'o prote$t his o!n f"mil)
line+ he de$ides to put her away& ,e be"rs her no m"li$e+ "nd so !ill do this privately+ to sp"re her
the p"in of pbli$ displ")&
5.$.8 A S!,le )rl Defle#= $$:$E;$C
1f " m"n t"*es " sin%le %irl+ he mst spport her for the rest of his life& ,e is not e2e$ted+ "s he
!old be if he viol"ted "n en%"%ed %irl& 'his differen$e in his f"te points p "n interestin%
$ontr"st in the t!o sit"tions&
9hen " m"n t"*es "n en%"%ed %irl -verses 2372:/+ he sei#es one !ho h"s been promised to
someone else& ,e !ron%s not onl) the %irl+ bt "lso her betrothed& 'he severit) of the de"th
pen"lt) refle$ts the doble n"tre of his sin& 4 shot%n !eddin% is ot of the =estion& 'h"t
!old onl) m"*e his theft of her perm"nent&
9hen " m"n t"*es "n nen%"%ed %irl -verses 26729/+ he is left "live ot of $onsider"tion for
the %irl& 1f he !ere stoned+ he $old not provide " livin% for her& Frthermore+ be$"se of his
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
"$tions+ she m") not be "ble to find "nother hsb"nd& 'he l"! sp"res his life so th"t he $"n
spport her&
5.* T:o 9%e'to!'
'hese five l"!s le"d to t!o =estions th"t !e no! $onsider in more det"il&
1& 9h) is no pen"lt) spe$ified for the first p"rtner of the de$eitfl !ife in verses 13721H
2& 9h"t does the spe$ifi$ prohibition of divor$e in verses 19 "nd 29 te"$h s "bot the
8ld 'est"ment vie! of divor$e in %ener"lH
5.*.1 The 9%e'to! of the U!.!o:! Pe!"lt2
9e s"! srprisin% e2tremes in the tre"tment of " m"n !ho molests " !om"n& 1n some $"ses he is
pt to de"th& 1n others+ he is not& 9h"t is the differen$eH
'"ble 2 belo! %ives " $le to the "ns!er& For e"$h p"r"%r"ph+ it sho!s
the referen$eP
" des$ription of the episodeP
the time of the defilement+ rel"tive both to the en%"%ement "nd to the m"rri"%eP
"nd the pen"lties for the m"n "nd the !om"n&
T"ble $: A!other Ve: of De%tero!om2 $$
$ime %enalty
&erses 'pisode 'ngagement Wedding (an Woman
2/'21 Woman (ccused by -usband ; $efore ;
2ies 22 (dulterers 2iscovered
(fter
(fter
2ies 2!'24 2efiled in the "ity
$efore 2*'27 2efiled in the "ountry
<ives
29'2+ ( 3ingle :irl 2efiled $efore <ives
'he $olmn he"ded Nen%"%ementN tells !hether the sin h"ppened before or "fter the %irl is
en%"%ed& 1f !e $omp"re this $olmn !ith the one th"t %ives the pen"lt) for the m"n+ !e see "
p"ttern&
1n ever) $"se !here " m"n defiles " !om"n "fter her en%"%ement to someone else+ he
dies -verses 22+ 23724+ "nd 2572:/&
1f he defiles her before the en%"%ement+ he does not die -verses 26729/& &
1n one $"se+ his f"te is n$le"r& 'his $"se is the onl) one in !hi$h !e do not *no!
!hether the defilement too* pl"$e before or "fter the en%"%ement -verses 20721/&
The +"!&' Pe!"lt2 0 1m"%ine the elders offi$i"tin% "t the tri"l of the !om"n in verses 20721&
,er hsb"nd "$$ses her+ "nd her p"rents "re n"ble to prod$e eviden$e of her prit) on the
!eddin% ni%ht& 'he l"! is $le"r& 'he) shold $ondemn her to de"th b) stonin%& ,o!ever+ (sti$e
is not $omplete& 'he one !ith !hom she h"s sinned o%ht "lso to "ns!er for his sin& 1f the elders
$"n pers"de her to reve"l his identit)+ !h"t shold the) do !ith himH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Eerses 20721 do not s")+ bt the other p"r"%r"phs do& Gither she sinned !ith him "fter her
en%"%ement to her le%"l hsb"nd+ or she did not& 1f there !"s "n illi$it nion "fter the
en%"%ement+ verses 23724 "nd 2572: $ondemn him to de"th& 1f+ on the other h"nd+ their
forni$"tion too* pl"$e entirel) before the en%"%ement+ verses 26729 "ppl)& 8bviosl)+ the
"tt"$*er !ill not m"rr) the !om"n+ sin$e she is to die& ,e is still li"ble+ tho%h+ for the fine of
fift) she*els&
8r first impression !"s th"t the l"! does not s") !h"t to do !ith the other m"n in the $"se
of the !om"n "$$sed b) her hsb"nd& 'h"t impression is !ron%& 'ho%h verses 20721 do not
mention her first p"rtner+ the other l"!s in the p"ss"%e "re $le"r& 1f the elders $"n le"rn his
identit)+ one or "nother of them defines his f"te&
The Wom"!&' Pe!"lt2 0 9e m") still thin* th"t the l"! is nf"ir& 8f the three p"r"%r"phs th"t
tell s !h"t to do !ith the "tt"$*er+ t!o -verses 2572: "nd 26729/ tell s th"t the !om"n is to
live& Perh"ps the $ondition her hsb"nd dis$overs reslts from one of these sit"tions& 9h) is she
freed there+ bt stoned in verses 20721H
'he !om"n3s pen"lt) is h"rsh not be$"se she !"s viol"ted+ bt be$"se she $on$e"led her
$ondition from her fi"n$e& She or her p"rents represented her to him "s pre+ !hen in f"$t she
!"s not& ,e "ssmed he !"s m"rr)in% " vir%in+ bt he !"s not& B) de$eivin% him+ she "bses the
mt"l trst "nd $ommitment th"t the) m"*e to one "nother in m"rri"%e& She viol"tes the
m"rri"%e $oven"nt "t the ver) moment she se"ls it& 1t is this f"ithlessness to the $oven"nt+ "nd not
(st ph)si$"l forni$"tion+ th"t merits the de"th pen"lt)&
5.*.$ The 9%e'to! of <Ne1er P%t A:"2<
1n t!o of the sit"tions dis$ssed in this se$tion+ Moses forbids the hsb"nd ever to pt "!") his
!ife -verses 19 "nd 29/& Some people feel th"t these prohibitions shed li%ht on the st"ts of
divor$e in %ener"l nder the C"! of Moses& Perh"ps Moses mst rle ot divor$e in these
sit"tions be$"se the) "re e2$eptions to ordin"r) sit"tions in !hi$h he "pproves it&
'he C"! of Moses $ont"ins no %lob"l $ondemn"tion of divor$e& 1t "lso $ont"ins no bl"n*et
"pprov"l& 'he onl) referen$es it m"*es to divor$e "re ne%"tive+ either forbiddin% it or restri$tin%
those !ho h"ve been divor$ed&
8n the one h"nd+ the Pent"te$h does not %ive s %ronds to re"d the Cord Less3 e2pli$it
prohibition of divor$e b"$* into e"rl) 1sr"elite so$iet)& 8n the other h"nd+ the prophet M"l"$hi
"$$ses 1sr"el of Nprof"nYin%Z the $oven"nt of or f"thersN -2:10/+ "nd b"$*s p his "$$s"tion b)
des$ribin% m"rit"l "bses+ p"rti$l"rl) divor$e& M"l"$hi $le"rl) sees divor$e "s $ontr"r) to Nthe
$oven"nt of or f"thers+N !hi$h is either the $oven"nt God m"de !ith 1sr"el "t Mont Sin"i
thro%h Moses or the e"rlier $oven"nt !ith 4br"h"m& 9e $"nnot "$$se the prophet M"l"$hi of
re"din% b"$* @e! 'est"ment te"$hin% into the 8ld 'est"ment+ "nd his referen$e to the C"! "s
the b"sis for his te"$hin% m"*es it nli*el) th"t he is s%%estin% " different st"nd"rd from th"t of
the C"!&
Moses does not tell s in %ener"l terms !h"t God thin*s of divor$e& 9e do *no! th"t the
C"! never "pproves it e2pli$itl)+ "nd does $ondemn some spe$ifi$ inst"n$es of it& 1f the C"!
"pproves of divor$e in %ener"l+ then it differs not onl) from the @e! 'est"ment bt "lso from
l"ter portions of the 8ld 'est"ment& 1t seems prefer"ble to nderst"nd th"t 1sr"el "t Sin"i h"s
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
problems th"t "re f"r more pressin% th"n divor$e+ "nd so the C"! fo$ses on these =estions+
tre"tin% divor$e onl) in spe$ifi$ sit"tions&
'he "r%ment th"t prohibitin% divor$e in some sit"tions "pproves it in "ll others is onl)
v"lid if !e "ssme th"t Moses3 C"! is e2h"stive& ;le"rl)+ it is not& 9h"t it $ondemns e2pli$itl)+
!e *no! is !ron%& 9h"t it $omm"nds e2pli$itl)+ !e *no! is ri%ht& 'here "re some thin%s+
in$ldin% divor$e in %ener"l+ th"t it neither $ondemns nor $omm"nds& 8n these sb(e$ts !e mst
"!"it the revel"tion of l"ter S$riptres& 9hen th"t revel"tion $omes+ it $le"rl) $ondemns divor$e+
"nd !e shold not soften th"t $ondemn"tion b) pretendin% th"t the silen$e of e"rlier S$riptres
$ontr"di$ts it&
5.5 T:o Im(ort"!t Pr!c(le'
Feteronom) 22 %ives s t!o prin$iples of the Mos"i$ C"!+ prin$iples th"t !ill be import"nt in
or l"ter std)&
5.5.1 Wh2 :ere +"rr",e' Term!"te#0
Moses3 C"! does spe$if) $ir$mst"n$es !hen " m"rri"%e shold be termin"ted& 9hen " m"n or
!om"n $ommits "dlter)+ or !hen "n nm"rried %irl involved in forni$"tion hides this from her
betrothed ntil "fter the !eddin%+ Moses re=ires "n end to the m"rri"%e&
'he re"son for endin% the m"rri"%e is "l!")s mor"l imprit)& 'here is no mention of
Nin$omp"tibilit)+N Nment"l $relt)+N or Ndomesti$ violen$e&N 1n f"$t+ !hen " hsb"nd "$$ses his
inno$ent !ife+ !e $"n im"%ine th"t their rel"tion is "lre"d) ver) poor& Still+ the C"! does not
sep"r"te them+ bt insists th"t the) st") to%ether&
5.5.$ Ho: ## the L": Term!"te +"rr",e'0
'he me"ns b) !hi$h the C"! termin"tes " m"rri"%e is de"th b) stonin%& 'his verdi$t is ver)
severe to the %ilt)+ bt nli*e modern divor$es+ it le"ves no n"%%in% =estions "bot !hether
the inno$ent spose m") rem"rr)& 'he srvivor is not divor$ed+ bt !ido!ed& 'he old nion is
over "nd done "s onl) de"th $"n m"*e it&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& ,o! is Feteronom) 22 or%"ni#edH
2& ,o! "re the rles %overnin% m"rried people li*e those %overnin% the en%"%edH
3& ,o! "re the rles for m"rried "nd en%"%ed people differentH
4& ,o! does Feteronom) 22 illstr"te Lohn 6H
5& ,o! does it illstr"te M"tthe! 1H
5& 'he sit"tion in Fet& 22:13721 $old reslt from "$tions li*e those in 22:2572:& 9h) is
the pen"lt) differentH
:& 9h"t %ronds does the C"! of Moses re$o%ni#e for endin% " m"rri"%eH
6& ,o! is " m"rri"%e termin"tedH
9& 9h"t is the C"!3s "ttitde in %ener"l to!"rd Npttin% "!")NH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 8
THE LAW OF +OSES AND DIVORCE
1n the l"st $h"pter !e le"rned th"t the 8ld 'est"ment C"! spe$ifies $"pit"l pnishment+ not
divor$e+ "s the pen"lt) for forni$"tion "nd "dlter)& Still+ there is divor$e in "n$ient 1sr"el&
Ce%isl"tion $on$ernin% it "ppe"rs in Feteronom) 24+ !hi$h t!i$e in for verses des$ribes "
m"n !ho !rites " N$ertifi$"te of divor$e+N %ives it to his !ife+ "nd sends her ot of his hose&
Sin$e before the time of ;hrist+ interpreters of Fet& 24:174 h"ve deb"ted !hether or not it
s"n$tions divor$e& 1n this $h"pter+
!e !ill smm"ri#e the t!o m"in vie!s&
'hen+ to help s $hoose bet!een them+ !e !ill dis$ss
the %r"mm"ti$"l str$tre of the te2tP
$ert"in $ontr"di$tions th"t "rise in one interpret"tionP
Moses3 e2pl"n"tion of the l"!P "nd
Leremi"h3s se of the l"! in Ler& 3:1&
8.1 T:o Ve:' of De%t. $5:1;5
'here "re t!o different !")s to interpret Moses3 instr$tions "bot divor$e& 8ne interpret"tion
tells people ho! to divor$e one "nother& 1t comm"!#' divor$e& 'he other re$o%ni#es th"t
divor$e+ li*e mrder "nd theft+ is "n nfortn"te p"rt of life+ "nd tells people ho! to beh"ve if it
h"ppens& 1t "llo:' for divor$e&
'his l"!+ li*e m"n) in Feteronom)+ is " $ondition"l st"tement& 1t h"s the form+ N1F Yor
9,G@Z someone does somethin%+ ',G@ )o shold do somethin%&N Both interpret"tions
re$o%ni#e the Nif7thenN str$tre of the l"!& 'he) differ on ho! m"n) Nif7thenN st"tements the
l"! $ont"ins&
'he tr"nsl"tion of Fet& 24:174 in the 4thori#ed Eersion identifies three Nif7thenN or N!hen7
thenN p"irs+ follo!ed b) "n e2pl"n"tion& 1t sees three l"!s in the p"ss"%e+ so !e $"ll it the Nthree
l"! interpret"tion&N 4nother tr"nsl"tion of the p"ss"%e is possible& 'his tr"nsl"tion sees onl) "
sin%le instr$tion "nd its e2pl"n"tion in the p"ss"%e& 9e $"ll it the None l"! interpret"tion&N
'"ble 3$omp"res the three l"! interpret"tion -on the left/ !ith the one l"! interpret"tion -on the
ri%ht/&
1n the three l"! interpret"tion+ e"$h of the three $onditions is " distin$t instr$tion&
1& 'he first $ondition provides th"t if " !om"n does not ple"se her hsb"nd+ he m")
N!rite her " bill of divor$ement Y$ertifi$"te of divor$eZ+ "nd %ive it in her h"nd+ "nd
send her ot of his hoseN -verse 1/& 'his l"! e2pli$itl) "thori#es divor$e&
2& 'he se$ond $ondition permits " !om"n so divor$ed to m"rr) "nother m"n -verse 2/&
3& 'he third $ondition forbids " !om"n !ho is divor$ed+ rem"rried+ "nd then divor$ed or
!ido!ed to retrn to the first hsb"nd+ for th"t !old be " p"rti$l"rl) heinos sin
-verses 374/&
So the three l"! interpret"tion permits divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e nder some $ir$mst"n$es&
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T"ble *: T:o I!ter(ret"to!' of De%t. $5:1;5
$hree )aw Interpretation *ne )aw Interpretation
%irst <aw, 24&1 8ne <aw, 1'4a
When a man hath taken a wife,
and married her,
and it come to pass
When a man has taken a wife,
and married her,
and it happens,
that she find no favor in his eyes,
because he hath found some uncleanness in her,
if she does not find favor in his eyes,
because he has found some uncleanness in her,
then let him write her a bill of divorcement,
and give it in her hand,
and send her out of his house.
and he writes her a certificate of divorce,
and gives it in her hand,
and sends her out of his house,
3econd <aw, 24&2
(nd when she is departed out of his house, and she departs out of his house,
=then> she may go and be another mans wife. and goes and becomes another mans wife,
Third law, 24&!'4a
(nd if the latter husband hate her,
and write her a bill of divorcement,
and giveth it in her hand,
and sendeth her out of his house,
and the latter husband hates her,
and writes her a certificate of divorce,
and gives it in her hand,
and sends her out of his house,
or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife, or if the latter husband dies, who took her to be his wife,
=then> her former husband, which sent her away, may not take
her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled.
then her former husband, which sent her away, may not take
her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled.
The 51planation, 24&4b
+or that is abomination before the <ord, and thou shalt not
cause the land to sin, which the <ord thy :od giveth thee for
an inheritance.
+or that is an abomination before the <ord, and you shall not
cause the land to sin, the land that the <ord your :od gives
you for an inheritance.
'he one l"! interpret"tion re$o%ni#es th"t divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e h"ppen+ (st "s
Feteronom) 22 re$o%ni#es th"t forni$"tion h"ppens& 1t does not "pprove the first divor$e+ or the
rem"rri"%e+ or the se$ond divor$e+ "n) more th"n Feteronom) 22 "pproves forni$"tion& Ci*e
Feteronom) 22+ it tells !h"t God !"nts people to do if these nfortn"te events o$$r&
8.$ Choo'!, -et:ee! the Ve:'
'he interpret"tion of Feteronom) 24 th"t !e $hoose m"*es " %re"t de"l of differen$e to ho! !e
vie! divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e& Five insi%hts sho! th"t the one l"! interpret"tion+ the one th"t does
not "pprove of divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e+ is $orre$t&
1& 'he one l"! interpret"tion is the more !"t%r"l tr"!'l"to! of the ,ebre! te2t&
2& 'he three l"! interpret"tion le"ds to co!tr"#cto!' "mon% the three l"!s&
3& 'he e?(l"!"to! NFor th"t is "bomin"tion before the Cord \N -verse 4/ fits !ell !ith
the one l"! interpret"tion&
4& 6erem"h $ites the p"ss"%e in " !") th"t presmes the one l"! interpret"tion&
5& 'he Lor# 6e'%' endorses the one l"! interpret"tion in the Gospels&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
9e std) the first for of these insi%hts in the rem"inder of this se$tion+ "nd the fifth in
;h"pter 10&
8.$.1 The )r"mm"r of De%t. $5:1;5
'he simplest re"din% of Fet& 24:174 is "s one l"! r"ther th"n three& 'he prophet Leremi"h
"lldes to this p"ss"%e in his prophe$)& ,e *no!s bibli$"l ,ebre! m$h better th"n "n) modern
s$hol"r+ for he spe"*s it "s his n"tive ton%e& 1t is interestin% th"t he p"r"phr"ses the l"! "s "
sin%le $omm"nd+ not "s three:
'f a man puts away his wife, and she goes from him, and becomes another man=s, shall he return unto
her againG Shall not that land be greatly pollutedG !@er. 0%$&
1n Gn%lish+ the !ords NifN -or N!henN/ "nd NthenN sho! the differen$e bet!een the one l"!
interpret"tion "nd the three l"! interpret"tion& 1n ,ebre!+ the differen$e bet!een " $ondition -"n
Nif7thenN senten$e/ "nd "n ordin"r) senten$e is m$h more sbtle& ,ebre! does h"ve sever"l
!ords for Nif+N bt most $onditions do not se " spe$i"l !ord to introd$e the NthenN $l"se&
8ther fe"tres+ s$h "s !ord order or verb tense+ sometimes sho! !here the NifN stops "nd the
NthenN be%ins& 1t is even possible to h"ve " $ondition in !hi$h the NifN $l"se "nd the NthenN
$l"se $"n be distin%ished onl) b) me"nin%& Perh"ps the spo*en l"n%"%e m"r*ed these !ith
spe$i"l inton"tion+ bt !e $"nnot dete$t this from or !ritten te2t&
,ebre! !ords for NifN o$$r three times in Fet& 24:174+ bt the) do not $orrespond to the
three $onditions in the three l"! interpret"tion& 'he first o$$rs "t the be%innin% of 24:1+ N!hen "
m"n t"*es " !ife \&N 'he se$ond is in the middle of 24:1+ Nif she does not find f"vor in his e)es
\&N 'he third is in 24:3+ N!hen the l"tter hsb"nd dies \&N 'here is no NifN "t the be%innin% of
24:2 or 24:3& Frthermore+ of the three NthenNs re=ired b) the three l"! interpret"tion+ onl) the
one "t the be%innin% of 24:4 $orresponds to " distin$tive ,ebre! $onstr$tion&
,ebre! $onditions "re not "l!")s m"r*ed $le"rl)& 'he three l"! interpret"tion is not
impossible& ,o!ever+ there is nothin% in the te2t to s%%est th"t it is $orre$t& 9e !ill see it there
onl) if !e brin% it !ith s to the te2t& 1f !e follo! onl) the $les th"t the te2t %ives s+ !e !ill
re"d 24:173 "s one lon% NifN "nd 24:4" "s the Nthen&N
8.$.$ Three P"r"#o?c"l L":'
@ot onl) is the one l"! interpret"tion simpler lin%isti$"ll) th"n the three l"! interpret"tion+ bt
it "lso "voids $ert"in $ontr"di$tions th"t "rise "mon% the three l"!s of the three l"!
interpret"tion&
'he three l"!s of the three l"! interpret"tion "re:
1& 4 m"n m") divor$e his !ife+ ths endin% their m"rri"%e -verse 1/&
2& 4 divor$ed !om"n m") m"rr) someone else -verse 2/&
3& 1f "n)thin% h"ppens to the se$ond m"rri"%e+ the !om"n m") not retrn to the first
hsb"nd+ be$"se she is defiled -verses 3+4/&
'he first l"!+ "llo!in% divor$e+ le"ds lo%i$"ll) to the se$ond l"!+ "llo!in% m"rri"%e to someone
else& 1f the first m"rri"%e is re"ll) %one+ there $"n be no ob(e$tion to rem"rri"%e& 'he first l"! "nd
the third+ tho%h+ "re in $onfli$t+ "s "re the se$ond "nd the third&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
A D1orce th"t Doe'!&t Wor.&&0'he first l"! seems to $onfli$t !ith the third l"!+ forbiddin%
re$on$ili"tion of the first $ople& 1f the first m"rri"%e is re"ll) %one+ there is no rel"tionship
bet!een the !om"n "nd her first hsb"nd& ,e "nd she shold be li*e "n) other m"n "nd !om"n
in 1sr"el& 1f the se$ond hsb"nd dies "nd the) !ish to rem"rr)+ the) shold be "ble to m"rr) one
"nother "s !ell "s "n)bod) else& ?nder the three l"! interpret"tion+ the) m") m"rr) other people+
bt not one "nother& Some sort of tie rem"ins bet!een the !om"n "nd her first hsb"nd& 'he
divor$e of verse 1 $"nnot obliter"te this rel"tionship&
1f !e thin* Fet& 24:1 s"n$tions divor$e "s " !") to ndo m"rri"%e+ then 24:4" is str"n%e+ for
it implies th"t the m"rri"%e is not $ompletel) ndone "fter "ll&
A +"rr",e th"t Defle'&0'he se$ond "nd third l"!s "lso $onfli$t& 'he se$ond l"! e2pressl)
permits the !om"n to rem"rr)+ bt the third l"! s")s th"t she is NdefiledN "s " reslt of
rem"rr)in%&
NFefiledN in this $onte2t indi$"tes th"t enterin% the se$ond m"rri"%e is " se2"l sin& Ceviti$s
16 ses the !ord to des$ribe the se2"l sins of the ;"n""nites&
Dou shall not lie carnally with your neighbor=s wife, to defile yourself with her !7ev. $E%"B&.
,o not defile yourselves in any of these things, for in all these things the nations are defiled, the
nations that ' cast out from before you !7ev. $E%"+&.
$. Dou shall keep my ordinance, so that you do not commit any of the abominable customs that were
committed before you, and so that you do not defile yourselves in them !7ev. $E%0B&.
1n the three l"! interpret"tion+ the third l"! s")s th"t the !ife defiles herself in the se$ond
m"rri"%e+ "nd ths vie!s the $onsmm"tion of th"t m"rri"%e "s se2"l sin& >et the se$ond l"!
e2pli$itl) "llo!s her to rem"rr)& 'hs the se$ond l"! "nd the third l"!+ li*e the first l"! "nd the
third l"!+ "re $ontr"di$tor)&
1f there "re three l"!s in Fet& 24:174+ the) $ontr"di$t one "nother& 'he one l"!
interpret"tion h"s no s$h problem& 1t s"n$tions neither divor$e nor rem"rri"%e+ bt onl) tells
!h"t to do in one p"rti$l"r $ombin"tion of these events&
8.$.* Ho: #oe' +o'e' e?(l"! the L":0
Both interpret"tions of Fet& 24:174 "%ree th"t the l"! forbids the re$on$ili"tion of " divor$ed
$ople if the !ife h"s been m"rried to someone else drin% the period of the divor$e& 'he
p"ss"%e itself offers "n e2pl"n"tion for this prohibition&
For that is an abomination before the 7ord, and you shall not cause the land to sin, the land that the
7ord your God gives you for an inheritance !,eut. "+%+b&.
'his e2pl"n"tion is the third pie$e of eviden$e th"t helps s $hoose bet!een the interpret"tions&
?nder the three l"! interpret"tion+ the e2pl"n"tion is "s $onfsin% "s "re the $ontr"di$tions
"mon% the l"!s& 1f divor$e re"ll) is possible+ if people $"n re"ll) dissolve " m"rri"%e+ !h)
shold " l"ter re$on$ili"tion be N"n "bomin"tion before the CordHN B) this interpret"tion+ both the
first "nd the se$ond m"rri"%e "re %one& 'he) shold not h"ve "n) effe$t on rem"rri"%e&
'he e2pl"n"tion does fit !ell !ith the one l"! interpret"tion of Feteronom) 24& 'he first
verse is not God3s !") to dissolve " m"rri"%e+ bt onl) men3s "ttempt to do so& People $"nnot
$ompletel) ntie the *not th"t God h"s tied& 4 spe$i"l rel"tionship rem"ins bet!een m"n "nd
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!ife+ in spite of their best efforts to dissolve it& 1t is the persisten$e of this spe$i"l rel"tionship
th"t m"*es re$on$ili"tion so "bomin"ble&
'he e2pl"n"tion in Fet& 24:4 is the onl) verse in the Bible th"t ses the !ord Nsinnin%N to
des$ribe Nthe l"nd&N Leremi"h on$e "%"in $"n help s nderst"nd this l"!+ for he ses " s)non)m
!hen he p"r"phr"ses it: NSh"ll not th"t l"nd be %re"tl) (oll%te#HN -Ler& 3:1/& 4mon% other
p"ss"%es+ @m& 35:31733 t"l*s "bot the polltion of the l"nd& 'ho%h the spe$ifi$ $"ses of the
polltion "re different in @mbers "nd in Feteronom)+ both p"ss"%es t"l* "bot "vertin%
polltion& 'he %re"ter det"il in @mbers $"n help s nderst"nd Feteronom)&
+%r#er Al'o <Poll%te' the L"!#< 0 1n @mbers 35+ God tells the n"tion 1sr"el ho! to (d%e
"nd pnish the $rime of mrder& 'he $on$lsion of this $h"pter t"l*s "bot polltin% the l"nd&
Dou shall take no atonement for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put
to death. \ So you shall not pollute the land where you are, for blood pollutes the land, and no
atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, e*cept by the blood of him who
shed it !/um. 0?%0$,00&.
Blood shed b) mrder Npolltes the l"nd&N 'he d"m"%e $"n be reversed+ b) pnishin% the
mrderer& 8ther!ise+ the polltion rem"ins&
Gver sin$e the time of @o"h+ the pen"lt) for mrder is de"th& God tells @o"h+
9hoever sheds man=s blood, by man shall his blood be shed !Gen. <%1&.
?nder Moses+ the responsibilit) for dis$h"r%in% this (d%ment f"lls on the rel"tives of the de"d
m"n& 8ne of them+ $"lled Nthe "ven%er of bloodN in @mbers 35+ see*s ot the *iller to sl") him&
'he *iller+ in trn+ flees to " N$it) of ref%eN for prote$tion ntil the elders of his home $it)
e2tr"dite him for tri"l -Fet& 19:12/& 1f the tri"l finds th"t the *illin% !"s "$$ident"l+ he retrns to
the $it) of ref%e+ s"fe from the "ven%er of blood& Bt if he is %ilt)+ he is delivered to the
"ven%er of blood for e2e$tion&
'he l"! of mrder m"*es the "ven%er of blood responsible for preventin% polltion of the
l"nd+ b) e2e$tin% the mrderer& 'here is no provision for the "ven%er of blood to for%ive the
mrderer& More is "t st"*e th"n " person"l vendett" bet!een mrderer "nd vi$tim& God3s l"! h"s
been bro*en+ "nd it is God3s (d%ment+ not (st person"l ven%e"n$e+ th"t the "ven%er mst
e2e$te& 9h"tever the "ven%er3s person"l feelin%s to!"rd the mrderer+ he h"s " dt) to perform
"s God3s minister&
Ho: ' A#%lter2 l.e +%r#er0 0 4dlter)+ "s !ell "s mrder+ Npolltes the l"nd:N
She polluted the land and committed adultery with stones and trees !@er. 0%<&.
?nder the one l"! interpret"tion of Feteronom) 24+ divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e is re"ll) "dlter)+
for the divor$e h"s no divine s"n$tion+ bt is entirel) m"n7m"de& 1n spite of the N$ertifi$"te of
divor$eN th"t the first hsb"nd %ives the !om"n in Fet& 24:1+ she is still his !ife& 9hen she
m"rries the se$ond m"n+ she $ommits "dlter) "%"inst the first+ "nd thre"tens the l"nd !ith
polltion&
@mbers 35 sho!s th"t the polltion th"t sin brin%s on the l"nd $"n be removed if the sin is
(d%ed& 1n the $"se of mrder+ the prose$tor is the "ven%er of blood& 'here is "lso " prose$tor
for the sin of "dlter)& 1t is the first hsb"nd& 'hro%hot the C"! of Moses+ he is the one !ho
mst brin% $h"r%es "%"inst "n "dlteros !ife& 1n Fet& 22:13721+ he "$$ses her of prem"rit"l
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imprit)& 1n @m& 5:11731+ he "$$ses her of nf"ithflness "fter m"rri"%e& 'he "n"lo%) of
@mbers 35 s%%ests th"t in both $"ses he is not onl) defendin% his o!n honor+ bt "lso
enfor$in% God3s l"!&
4s !ith mrder+ the (d%ment on "dlter) mst not be b)p"ssed+ or the l"nd !ill rem"in
pollted& 1t is not (st " =estion of the rel"tionship bet!een the m"n "nd his !ife+ bt of the
dis$h"r%e of God3s l"! "mon% his sb(e$ts& ;ert"inl)+ it is nli*el) th"t the first hsb"nd !ill
"$$se his !ife of "dlter) "fter divor$in% her+ "nd less li*el) th"t "n) so$iet) th"t re$o%ni#es the
divor$e !ill "$$ept the $h"r%es& Still+ before God+ the hsb"nd is responsible to prose$te his
!ife3s sin& 1f he drops the $h"r%es+ the l"nd rem"ins defiled+ for he h"s "b"ndoned his
responsibilit) to e2e$te God3s (sti$e&
@o! the re"sonin% behind the l"! of re$on$ili"tion is $le"r& 4 hsb"nd m") t"*e b"$* his
divor$ed !ife if she h"s not rem"rried+ for the divor$e is onl) " m"n7m"de instittion "nd does
not $h"n%e their nion in God3s e)es& ,o!ever+ on$e she m"rries someone else+ she $ommits
"dlter) "%"inst her first hsb"nd& @o! he is responsible to prose$te her sin& 1f he "$$epts her
b"$*+ he effe$tivel) p"rdons the sin& >et he h"s no "thorit) to p"rdon her+ for it is God3s l"!+ not
his+ th"t dem"nds s"tisf"$tion& B) refsin% to s"tisf) th"t l"!+ he le"ves the l"nd pollted !ith
"dlter)&
'he e2pl"n"tion th"t Moses %ives for Fet& 24:174 ths presents " p"r"do2 if the p"ss"%e
s"n$tions divor$e& 1f the p"ss"%e onl) forbids re$on$ili"tion+ the e2pl"n"tion m"*es sense&
8.$.5 Ho: #oe' 6erem"h %'e th' l":0
'he prophet Leremi"h $ites Fet& 24:174 !hen he $ondemns Ld"h for idol"tr)+ " $ondition he
des$ribes vividl) "s spirit"l "dlter)& ,e !rites+
CThey say,
='f a man sends out his wife, and she goes from him and becomes another man=s, may he return to
her againG
9ould not that land be greatly pollutedG=
'n your case, you have played the harlot with many lovers, and would you now return to meGC says
the 7ord !@er. 0%$&.
Leremi"h "r%es th"t if the l"! forbids renion !ith one3s spose "fter "dlter) !ith even "
sin%le p"rtner+ Ld"h $"n h"rdl) e2pe$t the Cord to !el$ome her b"$* "fter she h"s been
nf"ithfl !ith m"n) lovers& For the prposes of or dis$ssion+ the form in !hi$h he $ites the
l"! is import"nt& ,e p"r"phr"ses the l"! "s " sin%le lon% $ondition+ follo!ed b) " $on$lsion+
!hi$h he e2presses "s " =estion+ NM") he retrn to her "%"inHN 'his =estion $le"rl) e2pe$ts "
ne%"tive "ns!er& ?nder the $onditions des$ribed+ restor"tion is impossible& 'h"t is+ Leremi"h
re"ds the l"!+ not "s three sep"r"te instr$tions+ bt "s " sin%le l"!& 1n or terms+ he follo!s the
None l"! interpret"tion&N
8.$.8 O!e L": or Three0
1t is en$or"%in% !hen !e $"n est"blish the me"nin% of " p"ss"%e of s$riptre Nin the moth of
t!o or three !itnesses&N 1n or $"se+ !e h"ve fond for !itnesses to the one l"! interpret"tion
of Fet& 24:174+ !ith " fifth to $ome in ;h"pter 10& 8f the t!o m"in interpret"tions of the
p"ss"%e+ the one l"! interpret"tion is more n"tr"l %r"mm"ti$"ll)+ "voids $ontr"di$tions to !hi$h
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
the other interpret"tion le"ds+ better fits the e2pl"n"tion th"t Moses %ives for the l"!+ "nd is
$onsistent !ith Leremi"h3s p"r"phr"se& 9e !ill soon see th"t the Cord Less "lso follo!s the one
l"! interpret"tion&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& Ple"se p"r"phr"se Fet& 24:174 in t!o different !")s+ illstr"tin% the t!o $onfli$tin%
interpret"tions of the p"ss"%e&
2& 9hi$h interpret"tion is smoother %r"mm"ti$"ll)H
3& 9h"t p"r"do2 "rises if Feteronom) 24 s"n$tions divor$eH
4& Ple"se $omp"re the l"! of re$on$ili"tion !ith the l"! of mrder !ith respe$t to the
initi"l offense+ the prose$tor+ "nd !h) the prose$tor $"nnot p"rdon the offender&
5& 9hi$h interpret"tion of Fet& 24:174 does Leremi"h3s se of the p"ss"%e spport+ "nd
!h)H
5& ,o! !old )o $onsel " divor$ed $ople !ho !ish to reniteH
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NOTES
8.* The Im(lc"to!' of FDefle#G! De%t. $5:*
>"ron 1955:6 insists th"t NdefiledN in verse 3 does not des$ribe the se$ond m"rri"%e "s
"dlteros+ bt is simpl) " referen$e to the $onsmm"tion of th"t m"rri"%e "s pttin% the !om"n
Nfin"ll) be)ond the re"$h of her first hsb"nd&N ,is e2pl"n"tion is ver) "bbrevi"ted+ bt seems to
"llde to the f"$t th"t even " le%itim"te m"rri"%e -"s he $onsiders the se$ond m"rri"%e to be/
brin%s imprit) nder the C"!:
8s for a woman with whom a man lies with seed of copulation, they shall wash in water, and they
shall be defiled until the evening !7ev. $?%$E&.
'his note "r%es th"t NdefiledN in Fet& 24:4 me"ns more th"n this tempor"r) $eremoni"l
imprit)+ be$"se of the dr"tion of the defilement "nd the e2isten$e of $le"rer "ltern"tives for
des$ribin% the se$ond nion&
'he defilement of Cev& 15:16 l"sts onl) one d")& 'he defilement of Fet& 24:4 persists even
"fter the de"th of the se$ond hsb"nd& 'he) ths seem to be t!o different *inds of defilement&
'here "re $le"rer !")s for the l"! to spe"* of the $onsmm"tion of the se$ond m"rri"%e th"n
"n obs$re referen$e to Cev& 15:16& ,ebre! h"s "t le"st for !ords denotin% $opl"tion&
1& N'o r"vishN is so dire$t th"t Le!ish s$ribes livin% "fter the time of ;hrist s)stem"ti$"ll)
$h"n%e it to "nother verb+ Nto lie !ith&N
2& N'o lie !ithN indi$"tes $opl"tion+ either le%itim"te or ille%itim"te+ either !ith or
!ithot the $onsent of both p"rties& 1t o$$rs in Gen& 39::+ 12+ 14P 30:15+ 15P 2 S"m&
11:11P "nd m"n) other times&
3& N'o hmbleN s"ll) des$ribes " r"pe+ "s in Ld%& 19:24 "nd 2 S"m& 13:12+14& 1t is the
!ord th"t some versions render NdefileN in Gen& 34:2&
4& N'o *no!N is sed fre=entl) of the ph)si$"l nion of m"rried $oples -Gen& 4:1+ 1:+
25/& 8nl) on$e -Ld%& 19:25/ does it des$ribe " sit"tion !here one p"rti$ip"nt does not
$onsent to the nion&
1f the fn$tion of the !ord NdefiledN in Fet& 24:4 is simpl) to refer to the $onsmm"tion of "
se$ond le%itim"te m"rri"%e+ either Nto *no!N or Nto lie !ithN !old be " m$h $le"rer term&
'he defilement of the se$ond m"rri"%e is more th"n the $eremoni"l reslt of l"!fl nion& 4
m$h better p"r"llel seems to be the ses of Nto defileN in Ceviti$s 16+ !hi$h !e h"ve
smm"ri#ed in the bod) of the $h"pter&
8.5 We!h"m&' E?(l"!"to! of De%t. $5
1 e2pl"in Fet& 24:174 "s forbiddin% re$on$ili"tion "fter rem"rri"%e on the %ronds th"t the first
hsb"nd h"s " divine dt) to prose$te his rem"rried !ife for "dlter)& 'his interpret"tion seems
to be " ne! "ddition to the $olle$tion of sever"l th"t h"ve %ro!n p "rond the p"ss"%e& -For
smm"ries of e"rlier vie!s see >"ron 1955P ,eth 1962:52755&/ 'he l"test vie! to be e2ponded+
"nd one f"vored b) sever"l re$ent !riters -Steele "nd .)rie 1963:2572:P D"iser 1963:2027203/ is
th"t proposed b) Gordon 9enh"m 19:9& ,e observes th"t the re"sons %iven in Fet& 24:4 for
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
prohibitin% the rem"rri"%e "re $h"r"$teristi$ of the prohibitions "%"inst in$est in Ceviti$s 16 "nd
20& ,e "r%es th"t m"rri"%e binds " m"n "nd !om"n into " rel"tionship "s stron% "s th"t bet!een
p"rent "nd $hild+ " virt"l blood rel"tionship& N'he reslt is p"r"do2i$"l& 4 m"n m") not rem"rr)
his former !ife+ be$"se his first m"rri"%e to her m"de her into one of his $losest rel"tivesN
-9enh"m 19:9:40/+ "nd the re$on$ili"tion !old therefore be in$estos&
9enh"m3s vie! is $re"tive+ "nd sho!s " sensitivit) to the bibli$"l vie! of the depth of the
m"rri"%e bond+ bt there is " problem& Feteronom) 24 "ssmes th"t some persistin%
rel"tionship bet!een the first hsb"nd "nd his !ife prohibits re$on$ili"tion "fter she rem"rries&
'his rel"tionship mst reslt from the intervenin% rem"rri"%e+ sin$e !ithot the rem"rri"%e
re$on$ili"tion is not forbidden& 9enh"m "r%es th"t the rel"tionship in =estion is the virt"l
blood bond resltin% from the first m"rri"%e& Bt this bond e2ists !hether or not the !om"n
rem"rries& 1f it is stron% eno%h to $"se in$est+ then it shold prevent re$on$ili"tion+ !hether or
not the !om"n h"s rem"rried& 1n f"$t+ it shold prevent "n) nion bet!een m"n "nd !ife "fter
the m"rri"%e h"s been $onsm"ted+ for the in$est l"!s of Ceviti$s 16 "nd 20 dire$tl) forbid
!terco%r'e+ not (st m"rri"%e+ !ith one3s $lose rel"tives&
Bt it is p"tentl) !ot in$estos for " m"n "nd his !ife to h"ve inter$orse+ "nd there is no
eviden$e !h"tsoever th"t re$on$ili"tion "fter divor$e in the "bsen$e of "n intervenin% m"rri"%e is
$onsidered in$est& 'he rel"tionship in vie! in Feteronom) 24 is $"sed+ not b) m"rri"%e "lone+
nor b) m"rri"%e "nd divor$e+ bt b) m"rri"%e+ divor$e+ "nd rem"rri"%e& 'he bond identified b)
9enh"m does not meet this re=irement& 'he rel"tion bet!een " hsb"nd "nd his nf"ithfl !ife
does&
8.8 T:o 9%e'to!' o! 6er. *:1
8r dis$ssion of Ler& 3:1 invites "n import"nt =estion& 1f Moses3 l"! forbids Ld"h+ "s the
Cord3s nf"ithfl !ife+ from retrnin% to him+ ho! $"n the Cord l"ter promise to restore the
n"tion -"s in Ler& 23:576P 24:57:P "nd m"n) other pl"$es/H
9e mi%ht thin* th"t God is not bond b) his o!n l"!s+ sin$e he m"de them in the first pl"$e&
'his e2pl"n"tion+ !hile pl"sible "t first %l"n$e+ is prob"bl) not $orre$t& 'he @e! 'est"ment
emph"si#es the import"n$e of ;hrist3s flfillin% the C"! for his people+ "nd be"rin% their pen"lt)
in their pl"$e& 1f it !ere $onsistent !ith God3s $h"r"$ter for him simpl) to !"ive his o!n l"!s+
then the impt"tion of or sin to ;hrist "nd of his ri%hteosness to s !old be nne$ess"r)&
'here !old be no need for God to s"$rifi$e his Son to pro$re or for%iveness+ if he $old
simpl) !"ive the l"!s th"t !e h"ve viol"ted&
1n f"$t+ the $ontr"st bet!een !h"t the l"! !old "llo! "nd the restor"tion promised l"ter in
Leremi"h+ emph"si#es the !onder "nd m)ster) of God3s for%iveness& 4 hm"n hsb"nd $"nnot
restore his !ife be$"se he $"nnot for%ive the offense "%"inst God3s C"!& God does for%ive
repent"nt sinners& 'his trth is so $h"r"$teristi$ of the Cord th"t he pro$l"ims it "s p"rt of his
n"me to Moses in G2od& 34:5+::
The 7-),, the 7-),, a God \ forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.
Be$"se God $"n for%ive the sin+ he $"n restore 1sr"el to himself&
'he 8ld 'est"ment te"$hes $le"rl) eno%h th"t God for%ives sin+ bt !e mst !"it ntil the
@e! 'est"ment to le"rn in fll det"il ho: he is "ble to for%ive !ithot $ompromisin% his o!n
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
holiness& 'here !e find th"t God in ;hrist h"s himself $"rried his people3s %ilt "nd borne their
pnishment for them& 'he 8ld 'est"ment hints of this in the ver) !ord Nfor%ive+N for it is the
s"me !ord tr"nsl"ted Nbe"rN in e2pressions li*e Nhe sh"ll be"r his ini=it)N -Cev& 5:1+1:/& 9hen
God for%ives sin+ he himself sholders its brden+ "nd ltim"tel) dis$h"r%es it on ;"lv"r)&
'ho%h God+ "s the "thor of for%iveness+ $"n restore his !ife+ the ori%in"l l"! is not
sspended or revo*ed& 'he l"! itself+ in G2od& 34::+ re$o%ni#es th"t God $"n for%ive+ "nd this
revel"tion "nted"tes Fet& 24:174& 'he s"$rifi$es of the C"! $old never $onve) " $le"r
$ons$ien$e -,eb& 9:9P 10:1+2/+ bt Ps"lm 32 $le"rl) sho!s th"t those !hose f"ith !ent be)ond
the C"! $old *no! the blessedness of for%iven sin& Still+ the f"$t of God3s for%iveness does not
remove the ph)si$"l pen"lties th"t the C"! imposes for sin+ or relieve God3s people of the need to
obe) the C"!&
'he @e! 'est"ment does not revo*e this p"rti$l"r l"!+ (st "s in %ener"l it ret"ins the 8ld
'est"ment3s te"$hin%s "bot m"rri"%e& 'his l"! ths provides %id"n$e to believers !ho m")
h"ve stmbled in the "re" of divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e& 4 divor$ed $ople m") be re$on$iled if
neither h"s rem"rried& 1f " rem"rri"%e h"s intervened+ the) m") not be re$on$iled+ even if the
se$ond spose h"s died& 1n p"rti$l"r+ this l"! offers " dire$t reft"tion to the s%%estion
sometimes he"rd th"t believers in se$ond m"rri"%es shold dissolve them "nd retrn to their
ori%in"l sposes& 9e !ill $onsider the dissoltion of se$ond m"rri"%es in more det"il in &;h"pter
14+ bt this l"! e2pli$itl) forbids " restor"tion of the first m"rri"%e nder "n) $ir$mst"n$es&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER @
THE LAW OF +OSES AND CONCU-INA)E
9e h"ve stdied t!o of Moses3 l"!s "bot divor$e& Feteronom) 22 e2pli$itl) forbids divor$e in
some spe$ifi$ $"ses& Feteronom) 24 re%l"tes rem"rri"%e "fter divor$e& Both st"tements
re$o%ni#e the e2isten$e of divor$e in 1sr"elite $ltre+ bt do not endorse it& 1nste"d+ the) m"*e
divor$e more diffi$lt "nd less p"l"t"ble th"n it !old be other!ise&
1n $ontr"st+ t!o other te2ts in 1sr"el3s l"! $ode+ G2od& 21::711 "nd Fet& 21:10714+ tell ho! "
m"n shold pt ot " !om"n !ho does not ple"se him& S$h instr$tion does more th"n
re$o%ni#e th"t people divor$e e"$h other& 1t tells them ho! to do it& ,o! $"n !e re$on$ile these
te2ts !ith the opposition to divor$e refle$ted in Feteronom) 22 "nd 24H 9h"t "re their
impli$"tions for the believer3s $ond$t tod")H 'o "ns!er these =estions+ !e e2"mine e"$h
p"ss"%e in det"il+ observin% $ommon fe"tres th"t o$$r in both of them&
@.1 Some Rec%rr!, Theme'
'he t!o p"ss"%es !e !ill std) sh"re three import"nt fe"tres&
1& Both p"ss"%es de"l !ith le%itim"te nions+ not forni$"tion& 'he) se some of the
spe$i"l !ords "nd e2pressions for m"rri"%e th"t !e stdied in the notes to ;h"pter 3&
2& 'he !omen in both $"ses "re sl"ves+ "nd ths of " lo!er so$i"l $l"ss th"n their p"rtners&
1n the notes+ !e sho! th"t 1sr"elite so$iet) distin%ishes !ives !ho "re sl"ves from
other !ives+ often sin% the spe$i"l !ord N$on$bineN to des$ribe them& 'his pe$li"r
st"ts "ppe"rs to be the re"son th"t these nions "re so e"sil) bro*en&
3& 'ho%h the nion !ith " $on$bine is more tenos th"n th"t !ith " fll !ife+ the point
of both l"!s is not to !e"*en the bond+ bt to stren%then it& 'he l"!s do not te"$h th"t
sl"ves "re e"sier to dis$"rd th"n free !omen+ bt th"t m"rried sl"ves "re h"rder to
dis$"rd th"n nm"rried ones&
@.$ The L": of the Hebre: Co!c%b!e
'he first l"! des$ribes " free7born fem"le 1sr"elite !hose f"ther h"s sold her "s " serv"nt+ "nd
!hose o!ner h"s t"*en her "s " !ife either for himself or for his son&
8nd if a man sells his daughter as a handmaid, she shall not go out as the menservants go out. 'f
she should be displeasing to her master, who appointed her for himself, then he shall cause her to be
redeemed. To an unfamiliar people he shall have no authority to sell her, in dealing treacherously with
her.
8nd if he should appoint her for his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. 'f
he takes another for him, her meat, her clothing, and her ointment he shall not diminish. 8nd if he does
not do these three for her, she shall go out gratis, without charge !E*odus "$%A>$$&.
'he l"! h"s three provisions+ e"$h spe$if)in% ho! the rel"tion bet!een the m"ster "nd the
serv"nt m") end& &
1& 1n $ontr"st to ordin"r) 1sr"elite servitde+ the rel"tion does not e2pire "tom"ti$"ll)
"fter si2 )e"rs&
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2& 'he !om"n m") not be sold ot of her hsb"nd3s f"mil)& She m") onl) be NredeemedN
"nd ths restored to her ori%in"l f"mil)&
3& 1f she is "bsed+ she !ins her freedom "t no $ost&
@.$.1 E?(r"to! of I!#e!t%re
'he !ords+ NShe sh"ll not %o ot "s the menserv"nts do+N "llde to the l"! in G2od& 21:175+ (st
before this l"!& 'he e"rlier l"! sho!s th"t one 1sr"elite $"nnot o!n "nother "bsoltel)& 'he
servitde is more li*e "n indentre+ !ith " fi2ed term&
'f you buy a ebrew servant, he shall serve for si* years, and in the seventh he shall go out as a free
man, gratis !E*odus "$%$&.
4fter si2 )e"rs+ the m"ster mst set the serv"nt free+ nless the serv"nt !ishes to rem"in in his
m"ster3s hosehold&
1n %ener"l+ the prin$iple of rele"se "fter si2 )e"rs "pplies to both men "nd !omen serv"nts+ "s
Fet& 15:12 sho!s& 'he l"! !e "re std)in% no! %ives one e2$eption to the si2 )e"r rele"se& 1f "
m"n N"ppointsN his fem"le serv"nt for himself or his son+ she Nsh"ll not %o ot "s the menserv"nts
doN -G2od& 21::/+ Nin the seventh Y)e"rZN -G2od& 21:1/& 4 m"n m") not t"*e "dv"nt"%e of "
fem"le serv"nt+ "nd then dis$"rd her& 1f he t"*es her+ he elev"tes her from serv"nt to f"mil)
member& Serv"nts le"ve "fter si2 )e"rs& Members of the f"mil) "re perm"nent&
@.$.$ Re'"le
'he se$ond p"r"%r"ph of the l"! tells ho! the m"ster m") "nd m") not re%"in his investment if
the serv"nt does not ple"se him& ,e m") N$"se her to be redeemed+N bt not Nsell her to "n
nf"mili"r people+N th"t is+ ot of the f"mil)&
'he o!ner $"nnot sell his $on$bine ot of the f"mil)+ for b) doin% so he !old Nde"l
tre"$herosl) !ith her&N 'he phr"se Nde"l tre"$herosl)N tr"nsl"tes the ,ebre! verb des$ribin%
bre"$h of $oven"nt th"t !e $onsidered in ;h"pter 3& 'he rel"tion bet!een the m"ster "nd his
serv"nt involves " $oven"nt+ !hi$h in this $onte2t is prob"bl) the m"rri"%e $oven"nt& Most
tr"nsl"tions of this l"! s%%est th"t be$"se the $oven"nt h"s been bro*en previosl)+ the m"ster
$"nnot sell her& 4s !e dis$ss in the notes+ the ,ebre! $onstr$tion s%%ests th"t it is the "$t of
sellin% th"t bre"*s the $oven"nt& B) m"rr)in% the %irl+ the m"ster h"s elev"ted her "bove her
former st"ts& 'o sell her "s " $ommon $h"ttel !old betr") th"t $ommitment&
'he l"! does "llo! the m"n to re%"in his investment+ b) N$"sYin%Z her to be redeemed&N
.edemption of " serv"nt is li*e " s"le in th"t mone) is p"id to remove the serv"nt from "n
o!ner3s possession& 1t differs from " s"le in t!o !")s& 1n " s"le+ the serv"nt be$omes the propert)
of the person !ho p"id the previos o!ner+ "nd the pr$h"ser $"n be "n)bod)& 1n redemption+
the pr$h"ser is someone !ith "n ori%in"l $l"im to the serv"nt+ "nd the serv"nt be$omes free& 'he
intent seems to be th"t the %irl3s f"ther rep")s the pr$h"se pri$e he re$eived for his d"%hter+ "nd
she retrns to his home "s " free person&
'his provision %ives s " $le"rer vie! of the %irl3s st"ts& ,er nion !ith the m"ster h"s m"de
her more th"n " $ommon sl"ve+ so th"t she $"nnot be sold& From the m"ster3s point of vie! she
still h"s " v"le+ "nd the l"! "llo!s him to re%"in his fnds if her f"mil) b) birth !ill redeem
her&
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@.$.* Em"!c("to!
1f the o!ner is nh"pp) !ith his $on$bine "nd her f"mil) $"nnot "fford to redeem her+ he mst
$ontine to provide for her& 1f he ne%le$ts her+ she !ins her freedom !ithot "n) rep")ment to
her o!ner&
@.$.5 S%mm"r2
'he l"! of the ,ebre! $on$bine in G2ods 21 sho!s $le"rl) the three fe"tres !e "nti$ip"ted
"s !e be%"n&
1& 'he le%itim"$) of the nion is implied b) the st"tement th"t the hsb"nd is li"ble for
bre"$h of $oven"nt if he sells his $on$bine ot of the f"mil)&
2& 'he !om"n is " sl"ve+ for she is NsoldN "s " Nh"ndm"id&N
3& 'he emph"sis of the l"! is not on ho! e"s) it is to pt "!") " sl"ve+ bt on the
restri$tions the m"ster mst "$$ept if he t"*es her "s his $on$bine& ,e $"nnot "bse her
"nd dis$"rd her+ (st be$"se she is his propert)& 4 $oven"nt e2ists bet!een them+ "nd
he mst "bide b) it&
4 $lose p"r"llel to the l"! of the ,ebre! $on$bine "ppe"rs in Ceviti$s 19:20&
8s for a man who lies carnally with a woman, she being a handmaid appointed for aInotherJ man, not
at all redeemed, nor freedom given her% there shall be an investigation. They shall not be put to death,
because she was not free.
1n both $"ses+ the !om"n is " serv"nt !ith some sort of rel"tion to " m"n& Ceviti$s
does not st"te th"t he is her m"ster+ bt be$"se she is " h"ndm"id+ !e e2pe$t th"t the
rel"tion is either !ith him or !ith someone "pproved b) him -s$h "s the son of G2ods
21:9/&
1n both $"ses+ the rel"tion $"n be ended either b) redemption or b) otri%ht rele"se&
'he p"ss"%e enh"n$es or nderst"ndin% of G2ods 21::711 b) illstr"tin% ho! the rel"tion of
m"n "nd $on$bine is inferior to th"t of m"n "nd fll !ife& 9h"t is to be done !ith " m"n !ho
t"*es " !om"n to !hom he is not m"rriedH 1f she is sin%le+ Feteronom) 22:26729 re=ires him
to m"rr) her& 1f she is en%"%ed or m"rried+ Feteronom) 22:2272: re=ires "t le"st the m"n to
die& 1n this $"se+ tho%h+ neither l"! "pplies+ Nbe$"se she !"s not free&N She belon%s to someone
else+ so the sed$er m") not m"rr) her& Bt the offense is not serios eno%h to !"rr"nt de"th&
'he sed$er offers " tresp"ss offerin% -Ceviti$s 19:21/+ "nd is for%iven&
@.* The L": of the C"(t1e Co!c%b!e
'he se$ond l"! th"t seems to "llo! divor$e des$ribes " fem"le prisoner of !"r !hose $"ptor
!"nts her "s his $on$bine& 1n the first l"! the !om"n is "n 1sr"elite+ bt here " Gentile !om"n
is in fo$s&
't may happen that you go out to war against your enemies, and the 7-), your God delivers them
into your hand, and you take them captive, and you see among the captives an attractive woman, and
you desire her, and you take her to yourself as a wife, and you bring her into your house. Then she will
shave her head, and do her nails, and put off the garment of her captivity from upon her, and sit in
your house, and weep for her father and her mother for a month. 8fter this, perhaps you go in unto
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
her, and become her husband, and she becomes your wife. /ow, if you do not take pleasure in her, you
may send her away according to her desire. (ut you must not sell her for money, nor treat her
abusively, because you have humbled her !,euteronomy "$%$B>$+&.
4$$ordin% to the $stoms of the 4n$ient @e"r G"st+ prisoners of !"r ordin"ril) be$"me
sl"ves of their $"ptors& 1sr"el3s C"! provides th"t " fem"le $"ptive !hose m"ster t"*es her "s his
$on$bine is thereb) elev"ted "bove the st"ts of "n ordin"r) sl"ve+ (st "s is the serv"nt in
G2ods 21& ,er m"ster h"s Nhmbled her&N 'h"t is+ the) h"ve been nited ph)si$"ll)& 'herefore
he m") no lon%er dispose of her "s " pie$e of propert)&
'he =estion of redemption does not "rise& 'he $"ptor h"s no fin"n$i"l investment in her&
Besides+ be$"se she is " forei%ner !hose rel"tives h"ve been sl"in+ it is nli*el) th"t he $old
find " redeemer for her& ,is onl) "ltern"tive to livin% !ith her is to set her free& Gven this "$tion
is restri$ted N"$$ordin% to her desire&N 4s " forei%ner+ she mi%ht not !"nt to be independent in
1sr"el& 'he !ordin% of the l"! s%%ests th"t in this $"se her m"ster mi%ht be $ompelled to
$ontine to provide for her&
'his l"! e2hibits the s"me three $h"r"$teristi$s !e s"! in G2ods 21&
1& 'he e2pressions N)o t"*e her to )orself "s " !ifeN "nd N)o &&& be her hsb"nd+ "nd
she sh"ll be$ome )or !ifeN "re form"l idioms for m"rri"%e&
2& 'he !om"n3s st"ts "s " sl"ve is " dire$t $onse=en$e of her bein% " prisoner of !"r&
3& 'he l"! does not %r"nt "ddition"l liberties to the hsb"nd be$"se his p"rtner is " sl"ve+
bt imposes restri$tions on his disposition of her th"t !old not "ppl) if she !ere not
his $on$bine&
@.5 Sl"1e;W1e' "!# D1orce
9e trned or "ttention to G2ods 21 "nd Feteronom) 21 be$"se these p"ss"%es seem to
"thori#e dissoltion of m"rri"%es& 9e no! nderst"nd th"t the rel"tionships in vie! in these
l"!s "re of " spe$i"l *ind th"t does not "rise in modern 9estern so$iet)&
8r fnd"ment"l insi%ht is th"t be$"se the !omen in vie! "re sl"ves+ their rel"tionships
!ith their m"sters "re $on$bin"%e "nd not fll m"rri"%e& 'he e"se !ith !hi$h these nions "re
bro*en does not $ontr"di$t the hi%h re%"rd for m"rri"%e refle$ted in Feteronom) 22 "nd 24+
sin$e t!o different rel"tions "re in vie!& Feteronom) 22 "nd 24 $onsider " fll m"rri"%e& God
h"s (oined the p"rtners to%ether+ so not even " form"l divor$e $"n dissolve their nion in his e)es&
G2ods 21 "nd Feteronom) 21 des$ribe $on$bin"%e+ " nion distin%ished b) the $ltre from
fll m"rri"%e& 'his nion is ths m"n7m"de+ so m"n $"n sever it&
Be$"se $on$bin"%e h"s no le%"l st"ts in 9estern $ltre+ these l"!s offer no pre$edent for
modern divor$es& 1n f"$t+ if "n)thin%+ the) "r%e "%"inst divor$e& ;ontr"sted !ith the p"%"n
st"nd"rds of the d")+ Moses3 C"! %re"tl) restri$ts the hsb"nd3s t)r"nn) over his $on$bine&
'hese de$rees "re steps "!") from $"s"l li"isons "nd to!"rd fller $ommitment+ even in the
$onte2t of sl"ver)&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t %ener"l "ttitde to!"rd the dissoltion of m"rri"%e do Feteronom) 22 "nd 24
refle$tH
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2& ,o! do G2ods 21 "nd Feteronom) 21 differ from thisH
3& 9h"t three fe"tres $h"r"$teri#e both of these l"!sH
NOTES
@.8 The Tr"!'l"to! of E?o#. $1:E
'he tr"nsl"tion of G2od& 21:6+10 in the te2t differs from most Gn%lish tr"nsl"tions in three
det"ils: the renderin% of the phr"se o + the h"ndlin% of the infinitive $onstr$t phr"se !ith
^_ "t the end of 21:6+ "nd the interpret"tion of the third item in 21:10 th"t the m"ster is obli%"ted
to provide for her -4E Jdt) of m"rri"%eK/&
@.8.1 The <U!f"ml"r Peo(le<
Most tr"nsl"tions render o "s Nforei%n peopleN or Nforei%n n"tion+N impl)in% th"t the
hsb"nd $"n sell his $on$bine "s lon% "s he sells her to "n 1sr"elite "nd not to " forei%ner& 'his
interpret"tion seems nli*el) on three %ronds&
1& 'he verse dr"!s " $ontr"st bet!een sellin% the !om"n "nd $"sin% her to be redeemed+
not bet!een sellin% her to one %rop "s opposed to "nother& .edemption -Q`a/ "l!")s
involves "n ori%in"l o!nerAs re%"inin% possession of somethin% b) offerin% " p")ment
of some sort& 1n the $onte2t+ the ori%in"l o!ner !old be the !om"n3s f"ther -verse :/+
!ho $old retrn the pr$h"se pri$e "nd brin% his d"%hter home& 'he l"! "llo!s
redemption b) the !om"n3s f"mil)+ bt forbids sellin% her to o & 'he lo%i$"l
$ontr"st to her f"mil) is "n)bod) else+ not (st non71sr"elites&
2& 1n the p"r"llel te2t Cev& 19:20+ the t!o $onditions th"t $old remove " !om"n from the
position of $on$bine "re redemption "nd rele"se& 'here is no mention of s"le to
"n)one+ 1sr"elite or not&
3& 'he se$ond l"! prote$ts " forei%n $"ptive $on$bine from bein% sold to "n)bod)+ not
(st from bein% sold to " non71sr"elite& She $"n no lon%er be tr"ded "s " $ommon
$h"ttel& 1f the first l"! permits the hsb"nd to sell his $on$bine "t "ll+ !e "re dr"!n to
the str"n%e $on$lsion th"t the C"! of Moses offers %re"ter prote$tion to forei%n
$on$bines th"n to 1sr"elite ones&
'he pre$ise e2pression o "ppe"rs no!here else in the 8ld 'est"ment& need not
denote " n"tion+ bt $"n refer to the $iti#ens of " lo$"lit) -for e2"mple+ in Gen& 19:4P 1 S"m&
9:12+13P "nd Ler& 29:15+25/+ "nd the feminine of o $"n refer to someone from "nother f"mil)+
"s in the se of the feminine form for " h"rlot+ " !om"n !ho is N"lienN to " m"n be$"se she is
not his proper !ife& 'he over"ll e2pression seems "ppropri"te to des$ribe "n)one not in either of
the !om"n3s t!o f"milies -the f"milies of her f"ther "nd of her hsb"nd/& 'he phr"se is ths not
restri$tive -Nhe m") sell her+ bt not to " forei%nerN/+ bt definitive -Nhe m") not sell her+ ths
removin% her from her o!n peopleN/&
@.8.$ The Co!!ecto! of <De"l Tre"chero%'l2<
'he infinitive $onstr$t phr"se !ith ^_ "t the end of 21:6+ n z+ is nivers"ll) tr"nsl"ted "s "
$"s"l $l"se+ Nsin$e he h"s de"lt tre"$herosl) !ith her+N e2pl"inin% !h) the hsb"nd $"nnot
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
sell her& 1 h"ve rendered it "s spe$if)in% more pre$isel) !h"t !old be involved in sellin% her: b)
doin% so he !old be de"lin% tre"$herosl)& '!o "r%ments sho! !h) this renderin% is
prefer"ble&
1& 8n $lose e2"min"tion+ other $"ses of ^_ !ith the infinitive $onstr$t $ommonl) $ited
"s N$"s"lN "re not $le"rl) $"s"l& For inst"n$e+ .& 9illi"ms 195::p"rs&24:+534
e2hibits G2od& 33:15 "nd 1 Din%s 16:16 "s e2"mples of this s"%e& Bt $onsider these
$it"tions more $losel)&
8nd how Yliter"ll) ! :h"t Z then shall it be known that ' have found favor in your eyes, '
and your peopleG 's it not in your going with usG !E*odus 00%$1&
'he $"s"l interpret"tion !old p"r"phr"se the emph"si#ed phr"se+ Nbe$"se )o "re
%oin% !ith s&N ,o!ever+ the NinN in the phr"se is "n e$ho of the s"me preposition in
the ,ebre! idiom Nin !h"t+N "t the be%innin% of the verse& Moses "s*s+ N,o! sh"ll it
be *no!nHN+ not N9h) sh"ll it be *no!nHN& 'he "ns!er %ives " me"ns+ not " $"se&
8nd he said, C' have not troubled 'srael, but you and your father=s house IhaveJ, in your
forsaking the 7-),=s commandments, and going after the (aals !$ 4ings $E%$E&.
Gli("h "$$ses 4h"b of troblin% 1sr"el& 'he emph"si#ed phr"se does not des$ribe !h)
4h"b h"s trobled 1sr"el+ bt ho! he h"s done it& Fors"*in% the Cord3s $omm"ndments
does not le"d p to the troblin% of 1sr"el+ bt is the ver) sbst"n$e of the troblin%&
'he se of ^_ !ith the infinitive $onstr$t here spe$ifies more $losel) the me"nin% of "
pre$edin% verb+ (st "s in G2ods 21:6&
2& 'he verb `b_ is " te$hni$"l term for bre"*in% $oven"nt& ,e h"s not bro*en $oven"nt
!ith her before sellin% her& Bt to sell her "s " $ommon sl"ve+ "fter m"rr)in% her+
!old be " bre"$h of $oven"nt&
@.8.* The Thr# Obl,"to!
'he m"ster is obli%"ted to provide the %irl !ith three thin%s: food -spe$ifi$"ll)+ me"t/+ $lothin%+
"nd ny & 'his l"st term "ppe"rs onl) here in the ,ebre! Bible& Follo!in% the Sept"%int+ most
versions nderst"nd the term to refer to the !om"n3s $on(%"l ri%hts&
'he tr"dition"l renderin% h"s t!o !e"*nesses& First+ it is s"ll) (stified b) derivin% the
!ord from Qcd Nto "ffli$t+ hmble+N " de$idedl) ne%"tive !ord th"t sometimes refers to r"pe& 'he
te2t obviosl) see*s the !om"n3s interests+ "nd it seems in$onsistent !ith these to re=ire the
m"ster to N"ffli$tN her se2"ll)& 8ne mi%ht derive the term fromefd Nto d!ell+N bt this root does
not h"ve the s"me se2"l overtones in ,ebre! th"t Nlive !ithN does in Gn%lish& Se$ond+ there is
no p"r"llel else!here in the 8ld 'est"ment+ or indeed in "n$ient @e"r G"stern liter"tre+ to
s%%est th"t " !om"n h"s " Nri%htN to se2"l "ttention from her hsb"nd& ;it"tions of 1 ;or& ::3
"re =ite beside the point+ sin$e the $ltr"l $onte2t is entirel) different+ "nd nothin% in 1 ;or& :
!old s%%est th"t P"l h"s G2od& 21:10 in mind&
M) interpret"tion follo!s P"l 1959+ !ho sho!s th"t m"n) "n$ient @e"r G"stern l"! $odes
identif) three thin%s th"t mst be provided for " dependent person -s$h "s " sl"ve+ " deserted
!ife+ " dependent sister+ or " dependent p"rent/: food+ $lothin%+ "nd oil& 'hese three thin%s !ere
vie!ed "s the ne$essities of "n$ient life+ "nd h"d to be provided for " person !ho !"s other!ise
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
!ithot spport& G2od& 21:10 des$ribes the s"me so$i"l $onte2t "s these p"r"llels -m"inten"n$e of
" dependent person/+ t!o of the three items "re the s"me+ the third item in G2ods is other!ise
n*no!n in the 8ld 'est"ment+ "nd there is no other p"r"llel "v"il"ble to e2pl"in the G2ods
triplet& 'he $on$lsion seems n"void"ble th"t Moses is refle$tin% " $ontempor"r) notion of the
b"si$ re=irements of life+ "nd th"t se2"l "ttention is not one of them&
@.@ The Tr"!'l"to! of De%t. $1:1H;15
Gn%lish tr"nsl"tions be%in the "podosis of the first $ondition"l "t 21:12+ !ith the effe$t+ N1f )o
see " be"tifl $"ptive+ then )o sh"ll brin% her into )or hose&N 'his "n"l)sis re$ommends the
pr"$ti$e of t"*in% $"ptives "s $on$bines&
'he ,ebre! te2t $ont"ins no indi$"tion of " bre"* "t the st"rt of verse 12& 'he sffi2
$on(%"tion verbs !ith waw $onse$tive th"t be%in in 21:10 $ontine thro%h o: in 21:13&
8nl) !ith the dis(n$tive $l"se &&& o : in 21:13 do !e $ome pon the $omm"nd itself& 4ll
th"t %oes before simpl) indi$"tes the norm"l $ir$mst"n$es of !"r "nd the e2pe$ted beh"vior of "
fem"le $"ptive& 'he l"! does not re$ommend th"t !"rriors t"*e their $"ptives "s $on$bines+ bt
dem"nds th"t if the $"ptor de$ides on s$h " $orse of "$tion+ he mst !"it for the !om"n3s
mornin% to rn " re"son"ble $orse before t"*in% her&
'he l"! is not one of the st"nd"rd ,ebre! $ondition"l forms& 1t is misle"din% to render it
!ith " st"nd"rd Gn%lish $ondition"l s$h "s Nif &&& thenN or N!hen &&&then&N ,ebre! $"n se its
$ommon $ondition"l p"rti$le gS !ithot " form"l "podosis+ bt Gn%lish does not en(o) the s"me
freedom !ith N!henN or Nif&N ?sin% Gn%lish N!henN for the introd$tor) gS m"*es it impossible to
"void "n e"rlier "podosis& So 1 h"ve rendered the waw $onse$tive $h"in "s " h)potheti$"l
sit"tion+ N1t m") h"ppen th"t&N Gven so+ it be$omes monotonos in Gn%lish+ so 1 bre"* the
senten$e !hen the sb(e$t shifts from the $"ptor to the $"ptive& 'he import"nt point to *eep in
mind is th"t there is no $omm"nd before verse 14&
@.D Co!c%b!e' ! the Ol# Te't"me!t
'he l"!s "bot serv"nts "nd $"ptives !ho "re $on$bines to their m"sters envision " rel"tion th"t
less bindin% th"n fll m"rri"%e& 'ho%h there is no n"mbi%os ,ebre! !ord for N!ife+N there
is one for N$on$bine+N cs , s%%estin% th"t this rel"tion is distin$tive in the so$i"l f"bri$ of the
time& 'his note see*s to enh"n$e or nderst"ndin% of the $stom in order to %ive frther
perspe$tive to the t!o l"!s $on$ernin% it th"t !e h"ve stdied&
'"ble 4 lists the rel"tions identified in the Bible "s $on$bin"%e& For e"$h inst"n$e+ !e %ive
" $entr"l referen$e for the rel"tionP
!hether the p"ss"%e is in " %ene"lo%i$"l $onte2t or notP
!ho the m"n "nd the !om"n "reP
the period in 1sr"el3s histor) -P"tri"r$h"l+ ;on=est+ Ld%es+ Mon"r$h)+ ;"ptivit)/ in
!hi$h the rel"tion e2istedP
other te2ts th"t refer to the s"me rel"tion&
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T"ble 5: I!'t"!ce' of Co!c%b!",e ! the -ble I! chro!olo,c"l or#erJ
?eference :en@l )an Woman 6eriod 8ther ?efs.
:en. 22&24 1 ,ahor ?eumah 6atriarch
:en.2*&A 1 (braham -agar; 6atriarch
1 "hr. 1&!2 1 (braham Beturah 6atriarch
:en. !*&22 Cacob $ilhah 6atriarch
1 "hr. 7&14 1 )anasseh ; 6atriarch
:en. !A&12 1 5lipaD Timnah 6atriarch
1 "hr. 2&4A 1 "aleb 5phah "on#uest
1 "hr. 2&49 1 "aleb )aacah "on#uest
Cud. 9&!1 :ideon ; Cudges
Cud. 1+,2/ <evite ; Cudges
2 3am. !&7 3aul ?iDpah )onarchy 2 3am.21&11
2 3am. *&1! 1 2avid many )onarchy 2 3am. 1*&1A. 1A&21f. 1+&A. 2/&!. 1 "hr. !&+
3ong A&9,+ 3olomon many )onarchy 1 Bings 11&!
2 "hr. 11&21 ?ehoboam many )onarchy
5st. 2&14 Eer1es many "aptivity
B"sed on the inst"n$es of $on$bin"%e in this t"ble+ !e $"n "ns!er some =estions "bot the
$stom&
,o! is it #'trb%te#+ both in 1sr"el3s histor) "nd in the different p"rts of the 8ld
'est"mentH
9h"t is its le,"l st"ts in the 8ld 'est"mentH
,o! does it #ffer from fll m"rri"%eH
9h"t is the rel"to! bet!een $on$bin"%e "nd sl"ver)H
@.D.1 D'trb%to! of the C%'tom
'he t"ble sho!s th"t the $stom of $on$bin"%e "ppe"rs in "lmost ever) period of 1sr"el3s
histor)& 1t is not mentioned before the flood& 1t "lso does not "ppe"r b) n"me drin% the G%)pti"n
bond"%e or the e2ods or -"mon% 1sr"elites/ "fter the be%innin% of the B"b)loni"n $"ptivit)+
prob"bl) be$"se " $on$bine is " *ind of sl"ve "nd sl"ve7o!nin% is " l2r) th"t the 1sr"elites
$"n ill "fford in those periods !hen the) "re themselves sl"ves& 'he $stom is !ell *no!n
"mon% the p"tri"r$hs+ "nd !"s "$tive in the %ener"tions th"t lived drin% the $on=est "nd the
period of the (d%es&
'he C"! of Moses does not se the "$t"l term N$on$bine&N Perh"ps the !ord+ r"re even in
the p"tri"r$h"l period+ !old be nf"mili"r to the people "fter livin% !ithot $on$bines or other
sl"ves for for hndred )e"rs& 1nste"d+ the C"! des$ribes t!o $ommon inst"n$es of the $stom
!ithot sin% the term+ "nti$ip"tin% th"t !hen 1sr"el is on$e "%"in " free people !ith propert)
ri%hts+ the) !ill resme the pr"$ti$e&
@.D.$ I' " Co!c%b!e " Wfe0
1n modern 9estern $ltre+ " $on$bine is not " !ife& She h"s no more of " le%"l rel"tionship to
her m"n th"n if she did not live !ith him -tho%h " fe! re$ent Np"limon)N l"!sits s%%est th"t
this sit"tion $old $h"n%e/& B) $ontr"st+ the $ltre of "n$ient 1sr"el does re$o%ni#e
$on$bin"%e "s " *ind of m"rri"%e& 9e h"ve "lre"d) seen eviden$e of this identit) in the se of
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
te$hni$"l m"rri"%e vo$"bl"r) to des$ribe the nion of m"sters "nd sl"ves& 'he $omp"risons
belo! %ive frther eviden$e in $"ses !here the !ord N$on$bineN "ppe"rs e2pli$itl)&
Some !omen "re des$ribed "s !ives in one p"ss"%e "nd $"lled $on$bines in "nother&
1n 1 ;hron& 1:32+ Detr"h is $"lled 4br"h"m3s $on$bine& >et in Gen& 25:1 she seems
ver) m$h S"r"h3s peer: N4br"h"m "%"in too* " !ife+ "nd her n"me !"s Detr"h&N
Bilh"h is L"$ob3s $on$bine in Gen& 35:22& >et !e !old never h"ve sspe$ted this
from the stor) of their nion in Gen& 30:4+ !here ."$hel N%"ve him Bilh"h her
h"ndm"id "s !ife&N 'he e2pression is e2"$tl) the s"me "s the one th"t des$ribes fll
m"rri"%es in Gen& 41:45+ !here Ph"r"oh %ives 4sen"th to LosephP Losh& 15:1:+ !here
;"leb %ives his d"%hter 4$hs"h to 8thnielP "nd 1 S"m& 16:2:+ !here S"l %ives his
d"%hter Mi$h"l to F"vid&
9hen the *in%s of 1sr"el bild their h"rems+ !ives "nd $on$bines "re des$ribed in p"r"llel
terms: &
8nd ,avid again took concubines and wives !" Sam. ?%$"&.
8nd ISolomonJ had women% ABB princesses, and 0BB concubines. /ow, his women turned away his
heart !$ 4ings $$%0&.
For I)ehoboamJ took EB wives and 1B concubines !" .hron. $$%"$&.
8 concubine deprived of her husband is said to live in CwidowhoodC !" Sam. "B%0&.
Ld%es 19720 offers "n e2tensive pi$tre of the rel"tion of " m"n !ith his $on$bine& 'he
m"n Nt"*esN her "s " !ife -19:1/+ "n "$tion des$ribed !ith the s"me idiom "s th"t sed for the
m"rri"%e of 4br"m to S"r"h+ or @"hor to Mil$"h -Gen& 11:29/& ,e is Nher m"nN -Ld& 19:3/+ the
s"me position o$$pied b) 4br"h"m !ith rel"tion to S"r"h -Gen& 15:3/& ,er f"ther is des$ribed
"s his Nf"ther in l"!N -Ld& 19:4+:+9/+ "nd he "s the f"ther3s Nson in l"!N -Ld& 19:5/& 1f !e !ere
not told th"t the !om"n is his $on$bine+ !e !old srel) $onsider her his !ife& 'heir
p"rtnership is no $"s"l "lli"n$e of the moment+ bt " nion re$o%ni#ed b) the $ltre& 9hen the
people of Gibe"h r"pe "nd mrder the !om"n+ the resltin% so$i"l otr"%e is so %re"t th"t it le"ds
to $ivil !"r&
'hese simil"rities sho! th"t $on$bin"%e is " rel"tion th"t the $ltre of the 8ld 'est"ment
re$o%ni#es& 1t is " *ind of m"rri"%e& 9e *no! th"t " $on$bine is different from " fll !ife
be$"se ,ebre! ses " spe$i"l !ord to des$ribe her&
@.D.* Ho: "re Co!c%b!e' Dffere!t from W1e'0
9e $"n see the differen$e bet!een " $on$bine "nd other !ives most $le"rl) in the effe$t on the
$hildren+ "nd in ho! the hsb"nd tre"ts the $on$bine&
'he $hildren of the $on$bine often t"*e se$ond r"n* to the $hildren of the fll !ife&
9e h"ve seen "lre"d) th"t Detr"h is 4br"h"m3s $on$bine& ;"refl std) of Gen& 25:5
s%%ests th"t ,"%"r is "nother& 'he verse refers to 4br"h"m3s N$on$bines+N so !e *no! th"t
there !ere "t le"st t!o& Genesis re$ords three !omen in 4br"h"m3s hosehold: S"r"h+ ,"%"r+ "nd
Detr"h& Detr"h is one $on$bine& S"r"h is $ert"inl) not " $on$bine+ so nless the "thor h"s
left some of 4br"h"m3s !omen nn"med+ ,"%"r mst be the missin% se$ond $on$bine&
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8n$e !e re"li#e th"t ,"%"r is " $on$bine+ !e $"n $le"rl) tr"$e the effe$t of the $stom on
the $hildren& Spe"*in% of ,"%"r "nd her son 1shm"el+ S"r"h tells 4br"h"m+
C,rive out this handmaid and her son, for the son of this handmaid shall not inherit with my son, with
'saacC !Gen. "$%$B&.
Gven "fter S"r"h3s de"th+ 4br"h"m $omplies !ith her re=est&
8braham gave all that he had to 'saac. (ut to the sons of the concubines that 8braham had, 8braham
gave gifts, and sent them away from 'saac his son while he was still living, eastward, to the east land
!Gen. "?%?,1&.
4br"h"m t"*es p"ins to se$re the preeminen$e of S"r"h3s son "s his fll heir& ,e ph)si$"ll)
removes the other $hildren from 1s""$+ to lessen the ris* of l"ter $ompetition&
9hen the ;hroni$ler enmer"tes the sons of F"vid+ he b"rel) mentions those born of
$on$bines:
8ll the sons of ,avid, besides the sons of concubines, and Tamar their sister !$ .hron. 0%<&.
1n f"$t+ "s '"ble 4 sho!s+ it is from %ene"lo%i$"l p"ss"%es th"t !e le"rn !ho most of the
$on$bines in the Bible "re& Gene"lo%ies pl"$e more emph"sis on the differen$e bet!een !ife
"nd $on$bine th"n do other sorts of liter"tre+ be$"se th"t differen$e "ffe$ts the st"ndin% of the
$hildren&
Some f"milies in the Bible do not dis$rimin"te "%"inst the $hildren of $on$bines& L"$ob h"s
$hildren not onl) b) his !ives Ce"h "nd ."$hel+ bt "lso b) his $on$bine Bilh"h+ "nd b) Milp"h+
!ho is prob"bl) "lso " $on$bine& 'he sons of the h"ndm"idens "re G"d+ 4sher+ F"n+ "nd
@"phth"li+ "nd the) be$ome f"thers of tribes in 1sr"el+ "s !ell "s Ld"h+ .eben+ Ben("min+ "nd
the others& 'he f"ther is "t libert) to tre"t his $hildren "s he ple"ses+ bt the $ltre presmes th"t
he !ill f"vor the $hildren of fll !ives over those of $on$bines&
'he $on$bine herself+ "s !ell "s her $hildren+ is " se$ond $l"ss $iti#en in her hsb"nd3s
home& 1n Gen& 21:10+ S"r"h h"s no ="lms "bot "s*in% 4br"h"m to send ,"%"r "!")+ "nd the
Cord %ives his permission for this sep"r"tion& 9hen F"vid flees from 4bs"lom+ he le"ves ten of
his $on$bines to *eep the hose -2 S"m& 15:15/+ e2posin% them to the "bse of his "n%r) son -2
S"m& 15:22/& 9hen he retrns to Lers"lem+ he virt"ll) divor$es them -2 S"m& 20:3/ be$"se
4bs"lom h"s defiled them&
@.D.5 Ser1"!t' "!# Co!c%b!",e
9e h"ve seen th"t $on$bines "nd !ives "re the s"me+ bt different& Both "re re$o%ni#ed
rel"tions in the $ltre of the 8ld 'est"ment+ bt the) differ in the st"ts of their $hildren& ?nless
" f"ther e2pressl) intervenes+ the $hildren of le%itim"te !ives t"*e pre$eden$e over the $hildren
of $on$bines&
'he re"son for this distin$tion seems to lie in the lo!er so$i"l st"ts of $on$bines& 9e do
not *no! the $l"ss of ever) $on$bine n"med in the 8ld 'est"ment+ bt in the $"ses !here !e do
h"ve eviden$e+ the) "re sl"ves&
,"%"r is one of 4br"h"m3s $on$bines& She is "lso " sl"ve+ the h"ndm"id of S"r"h -Gen&
15:1/& 1t is be$"se she is " sl"ve th"t S"r"h insists on her se$ond $l"ss st"ts -Gen& 21:10/&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Bilh"h+ identified "s L"$ob3s $on$bine in Gen& 35:22+ is ."$hel3s h"ndm"id -Gen& 30:176/&
'he s)mmetr) bet!een Bilh"h "nd Milp"h+ the m"id !hom Ce"h %"ve to L"$ob+ s%%ests th"t
Milp"h shold "lso be $onsidered "s L"$ob3s $on$bine& Gven "fter their m"rri"%e to L"$ob+ the)
"re $onsidered his h"ndm"ids -Gen& 32:22/+ so their elev"tion does not remove them from the
st"ts of sl"ves&
'he ten $on$bines !hom F"vid le"ves in Lers"lem !hen he flees 4bs"lom "re prob"bl)
"lso serv"nts& 'heir dt) in F"vid3s "bsen$e is to N*eep the hose&N 'he) "re domesti$s !hom
F"vid h"s t"*en into his h"rem&
'he overtones of sl"ver) in $on$bin"%e "re so stron% th"t some "thors -e&%&+ @efeld
1944:121/ s%%est th"t the t!o ,ebre! !ords for Nh"ndm"id+N b "nd cc + sh"re !ith cs
the b"si$ me"nin% of N$on$bine&N 'his position is overst"ted& Both !ords for Nh"ndm"idN
fre=entl) refer to " !om"n3s h"ndm"id "s !ell "s " m"n3s+ "nd "re often "pplied to !omen
!hom their m"sters do not t"*e "s $on$bines& 1t does refle$t the stron% impression thro%hot
the 8ld 'est"ment th"t $on$bin"%e "nd sl"ver) "re $losel) rel"ted instittions& 4 so$iet) th"t
distin%ishes sl"ves "nd free people !old h"ve " h"rd time %ivin% " sl"ve !ife the s"me st"ts
"s " free !ife& 4t le"st some of the differen$e bet!een " $on$bine "nd " fll !ife refle$ts the
differen$e bet!een sl"ve "nd free&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER D
WHEN )OD PUT AWAK ISRAEL
9e h"ve le"rned th"t the m"rri"%e bond is for%ed b) God+ bt divor$e is " m"n7m"de instittion&
'ho%h 1sr"el3s l"! re$o%ni#es th"t divor$e o$$rs+ it never s"n$tions it& So !e "re st"rtled !hen
some of the 8ld 'est"ment prophets des$ribe God "s pttin% "!") his spirit"l !ife+ the n"tion
1sr"el& 1n this $h"pter
!e std) the (ro(hetc (ct%re of 1sr"el "s God3s !ife&
'hen !e e2"mine the referen$es to the sep"r"tion of God "nd his people+tr"$in% three
$ommon themes thro%h Ho'e"+ 6erem"h+ "nd I'""h &
Fin"ll) !e e2"mine more $losel) the r"to!"le behind the des$ription of God pttin%
"!") his spirit"l !ife&
D.1 )o#&' +"rr",e to h' Peo(le
1n both 'est"ments+ the Bible fre=entl) ses m"rri"%e to pi$tre the rel"tionship bet!een God
"nd his people& 1n f"$t+ Gph& 5:30732 s%%ests th"t God desi%ned m"rri"%e in the form he did
spe$ifi$"ll) so th"t it $old help s better nderst"nd "nd "ppre$i"te or rel"tionship !ith him&
M"rri"%e is " %ood pi$tre of God3s rel"tion to his people+ in m"n) different !")s& 1n this
se$tion+ !e tr"$e five "spe$ts of this simil"rit):
1& the ni=eness of the p"rtnership+
2& its b"sis in $oven"ntP
3& the fritflness th"t reslts from it+
4& the (e"los) th"t "rises !hen the $oven"nt is betr")ed+
5& "nd the need to (d%e "n nf"ithfl p"rtner&
D.1.1 A U!A%e P"rt!er'h(
1sr"elite so$iet) is b"si$"ll) mono%"mos& 1ts ide"l is one !ife for e"$h hsb"nd "nd one
hsb"nd for e"$h !ife& 1n Gden+ God m"*es one !om"n for one m"n& Genesis does re$ord ho!
some of the p"tri"r$hs h"ve e2tr" !ives 0 "nd e2tr" trobles to %o !ith them& 'he tensions
bet!een S"r"h "nd ,"%"r+ or bet!een Ce"h "nd ."$hel+ "re "n impli$it !"rnin% "%"inst
pol)%"m)& 'hs P"l $"n smm"ri#e the 8ld 'est"ment te"$hin% "s mono%"mos& 'o those
N!ho *no! the l"!N -.om& ::1/+ he !rites+
The woman in wedlock is bound by law to her living husband. (ut if her husband dies, she is
discharged from the law of the husband. So then, while her husband lives, she shall be called
CadulteressC if she marries another man !)om. A%">0&.
M"rri"%e is "n "ppropri"te pi$tre of God3s rel"tionship !ith 1sr"el be$"se he "s 1sr"el3s
hsb"nd h"s no other n"tion "s his !ife+ "nd she "s his !ife h"s no other %od "s her hsb"nd& ,e
insists th"t she be his "lone: N>o sh"ll h"ve no other %ods besides meN -G2od& 20:3/& ,e+ in trn+
reserves his spe$i"l f"vor for her:
Dou are a holy people to the 7ord your God. The 7ord your God has chosen you over all the peoples
that are on the face of the earth to become a special people for himself !,eut. A%1&.
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D.1.$ A Rel"to!'h( b2 Co1e!"!t
9hen !e $onsidered the n"tre of m"rri"%e in ;h"pter 3+ !e le"rned th"t m"rri"%e is " $oven"nt+
" solemn promise bet!een t!o p"rties&
God3s rel"tion to 1sr"el is "lso defined b) " $oven"nt+ the $oven"nt he m"de !ith them "t
Mont Sin"i "fter the) left G%)pt&
< 9hen he meets !ith them in G2ods 19+ he invites them to Nobe) m) voi$e "nd *eep m)
co1e!"!tN -G2od& 19:5/&
< 4fter %ivin% them the ten $omm"ndments in G2od& 20:171:+ he smmons Moses p into the
mont for more det"iled instr$tion& 'his instr$tion+ $ont"ined in G2ods 21723+ is l"ter
$"lled Nthe boo* of the co1e!"!tN -G2od& 24::/&
< 4fter re"din% this boo* to the people "nd obt"inin% their $onsent+ Moses sprin*les them !ith
the blood of o2en "nd s")s+ NBehold+ the blood of the co1e!"!t th"t the Cord h"s m"de !ith
)o $on$ernin% "ll these !ordsN -G2od& 24:6/&
M"rri"%e is " fittin% im"%e of God3s rel"tion !ith 1sr"el be$"se both rel"tionships h"ve their
b"sis in $oven"nts&
D.1.* A Fr%tf%l U!o!
;hildren "re "t the $enter of the Bible3s ide" of m"rri"%e&
(ehold, children are the 7ord=s bequestH The fruit of the womb is a reward !#s. $"A%0&.
'he p"tri"r$hs morn !hen the) "re $hildless+ "nd re(oi$e !hen the Cord brin%s frit to their
nions&
'he Bible fre=entl) refers to 1sr"el "s NGod3s $hildren&N Moses is to dem"nd the rele"se of
1sr"el from G%)pt !ith the !ords
Thus says the 7ord% C'srael is my son, my firstborn. 8nd ' say to you, =7et my son go, that he may serve
me. 'f you refuse to let him go, behold, ' will slay your son, your firstborn=C !E*od. +%"">"0&.
C"ter+ Moses tells the 1sr"elites+ N>o "re sons for the Cord )or GodN -Fet& 14:1/& 8n$e the
met"phor presents God "s the f"ther of his people+ it is n"tr"l to introd$e the n"tion "s the
mother& 4s !e !ill see+ the prophets t"*e this step+ depi$tin% the n"tion "s God3s !ife+ "nd the
individ"l $iti#ens "s the $hildren of this nion&
'hs+ both hm"n m"rri"%e "nd God3s m"rri"%e !ith his people prod$e offsprin%&
D.1.5 A +"tter for 6e"lo%'2
God ord"ins th"t one m"n "nd one !om"n $ommit themselves to one "nother& 9hen one spose
viol"tes this trst+ the other is ri%ht to feel (e"los& 'he Bible never $ondemns this sense of #e"l
for one3s o!n p"rtner+ bt des$ribes it "s " n"tr"l emotion& 1t is depi$ted most $le"rl) in @m&
5:11731& 'here N" spirit of (e"los) $omes ponN " m"n N"nd he is (e"los of his !ifeN -@m&
5:14/& God does not dismiss his (e"los) "s " pett) or $hildish !him+ bt provides " test to see
!hether or not his fe"rs "re (stified&
1sr"el belon%s to God+ "nd is to !orship no one else& She ris*s God3s "n%er if she fors"*es
him& 'o emph"si#e this+ he dr"!s on$e "%"in on the vo$"bl"r) of m"rri"%e+ "nd des$ribes
himself "s N(e"los&N
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Dou shall not make for yourself any carved image, ... for ' the 7ord your God am a :ealous God !E*od.
"B%0>?&.
Dou shall worship no other god, for the 7ord, whose name is @ealous, is a :ealous God !E*od. 0+%$+&.
D.1.8 The Re'%lt' of F"thle''!e''
9ith so m"n) points of simil"rit) bet!een m"rri"%e "nd God3s rel"tion to 1sr"el+ it is n"tr"l th"t
the Bible shold depi$t God "nd 1sr"el "s hsb"nd "nd !ife& 9e h"ve "lre"d) seen $omponents
of this met"phor77ni=e p"rtnership+ the $oven"nt+ fritflness+ (e"los)77in the e"rliest boo*s of
the Bible& 'he !ord7pi$tre is so "ppropri"te th"t !hen the prophets mst des$ribe the
f"ithlessness of 1sr"el in dep"rtin% from the Cord+ the) n"tr"ll) se m"rit"l im"%er)&
1sr"el h"s t!o !")s to h"ndle nf"ithflness in hm"n m"rri"%e& God3s !") is to stone the
%ilt) p"rt)& So$iet)3s !") is divor$e& @either is entirel) "de="te to des$ribe ho! God h"ndles
f"ithless 1sr"el& ,e does not dismiss her to see* "nother !ife+ "s do men !ho divor$e their
sposes& @or does he destro) her+ for for%iveness "nd restor"tion "re $entr"l to the propheti$
mess"%e&
1n the l"st se$tion of this $h"pter+ !e e2"mine more $losel) the $hoi$es f"$ed b) the prophets
"nd ho! the) sele$t "mon% them& 'he pi$tre the) "dopt+ tho%h !ith si%nifi$"nt modifi$"tions+
is th"t God pts the n"tion "!")& 'his pttin% "!") t"*es the form of ph)si$"l e2ile& Ci*e "
hsb"nd pttin% his !ife ot of his hose+ the Cord thrsts ot first the @orthern Din%dom in :22
B&;&+ then the Sothern Din%dom in 565 B&;&+ from the l"nd of promise "nd into $"ptivit)&
4t le"st three prophets dr"! "ttention to this det"il of the Cord3s m"rri"%e to 1sr"el& ,ose"
des$ribes the people of the @orthern Din%dom "s the $hildren of th"t n"tion+ "nd h"s them (oin
the Cord in $ort "%"inst their "dlteros mother+ in !"rnin%s issed (st before the 4ss)ri"n
$"ptivit) in :22 B&;&
(ring charges against your mother, bring charges. For she is not my wife, and ' am not her husband
!os. "%"&.
Leremi"h "lso des$ribes the spirit"l "dlter) of the @orthern Din%dom+ drin% the period
bet!een the t!o $"ptivities&
For all the causes whereby backsliding 'srael committed adultery, ' had sent her away and given her
certificate of divorce to her !@er. 0%E&.
1s"i"h spe"*s in simil"r terms to the people of the Sothern Din%dom& 'ho%h he ministers
before :22 B&;&+ he spe"*s from " ftre+ propheti$ v"nt"%e point+ "s tho%h the B"b)loni"n
$"ptivit) of 565 B&;& h"s "lre"d) t"*en pl"$e&
Thus says the 7ord% C9here is the certificate of your mother=s divorce, whom ' have put awayG -r
which of my creditors is it to whom ' have sold youG For your iniquities you have sold yourselves, and
for your transgressions your mother has been put awayC !'sa. ?B%$&.
9e !ill std) e"$h of these p"ss"%es in its $onte2t& 4s !e $omp"re them+ !e !ill find three
fe"tres repe"ted in e"$h one&
1& 1sr"el h"s been %ilt) of '(rt%"l "#%lter2 "%"inst God+ her hsb"nd&
2& God (%t' her ":"2 = !ith v"r)in% de%rees of form"lit)&
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3& >et the re'%lt of this sep"r"tion is not "n end to the rel"tion& God does not set 1sr"el
free from the m"rri"%e+ bt offers her " $hoi$e bet!een pnishment "nd restor"tion&
D.$ Ho'e"&' Acco%!t
,ose" prophesies drin% the l"st )e"rs of the @orthern Din%dom& 'he ten tribes h"ve repe"tedl)
trned "!") from the Cord& ,ose" $ondemns their sin+ reve"ls God3s "n%er "%"inst it+ "nd !"rns
of $omin% pnishment& ,is !"rnin%s "re flfilled in the 4ss)ri"n $on=est of S"m"ri" in :22
B&;&
,ose" develops God3s pttin% "!") of 1sr"el "s " dr"m" in for "$ts&
1& 1n ,ose" 1:279+ God $omm"nds ,ose" to m"rr) " !om"n !ho !ill be nf"ithfl to
him&
2& ,ose"3s e2perien$e be$omes "n illstr"tion of God3s e2perien$e !ith 1sr"el in ,os& 2:27
13& God t"*es his err"nt !ife to $ort& 'he im"%er) is fonded on ,ose"3s "$$s"tion of
his !ife+ bt in f"$t ,ose" does not seem to h"ve pressed form"l $h"r%es+ for his !ife is
not e2e$ted bt left "live so th"t he $"n restore her l"ter& Eerse 13 sho!s th"t the re"l
"ppli$"tion of the p"ss"%e is to 1sr"el&
3& 1n spite of 1sr"el3s nf"ithflness+ God promises in ,os& 2:14723 to restore her&
4& ,ose"+ to $omplete the pi$tre+ t"*es b"$* his f"ithless !ife in ,ose" 3& 'he Cord mst
e2pli$itl) instr$t him to t"*e this "$tion+ sin$e it is $ontr"r) to the prin$iple of the l"!
of divor$e in Feteronom) 24&
'he three points !e "re tr"$in% -the pttin% "!")+ 1sr"el3s spirit"l "dlter)+ "nd the hope of
restor"tion/ "re emph"si#ed in the se$ond "nd third "$ts&
D.$.1 )o# P%t' A:"2 I'r"el
'he first h"lf of ,ose" 2 depi$ts God3s "$tions in pttin% "!") 1sr"el& 'he s$ene opens in "
$ortroom&
(ring charges against your mother, bring charges !os. "%"&.
'he verb Nbrin% $h"r%esN is " le%"l verb des$ribin% " form"l l"!sit& God is not merel) t"l*in%
"bot 1sr"el3s sin& ,e is t"*in% her to $ort& ,er sin is so fl"%r"nt th"t her $hildren re$o%ni#e it+
"nd so heinos th"t the) st"nd !ith him to "$$se her&
'he point of the l"!sit is %iven in the !ords+
She is not my wife,
and ' am not her husband !os. "%"&.
'hese !ords "re f"r more si%nifi$"nt th"n their brevit) mi%ht le"d s to e2pe$t& 'he) "re "
revers"l of the tr"dition"l Le!ish forml" of m"rri"%e& From the Le!ish settlement of Gleph"ntine
in G%)pt of the fifth $entr) B&;&+ s$hol"rs h"ve re$overed m"rri"%e $ontr"$ts th"t sitors
prep"red in order to t"*e !ives& 'hese $ontr"$ts "l!")s in$lde the !ords+
She is my wife
and ' am her husband.
,ose" reverses these !ords in ,os& 2:2 to des$ribe "n Nnm"rri"%e+N " pttin% "!")&
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'he forml" in ,os& 2:2 b) !hi$h the Cord pts 1sr"el "!") re$"lls ,os& 1:9+
Dou are not my people,
and ' am not C' 8;C to you.
N1 4MN is the n"me nder !hi$h God led the 1sr"elites ot of G%)pt -G2od& 3:14/& 4s he prep"res
the people for their G2ods+ he promises them+
' will take you to me for a people,
and ' will be to you for God !E*od. 1%A&.
'his rel"tionship of God "nd people lies "t the he"rt of the $oven"nt of Sin"i& 1n effe$t+ ,os& 1:9
repdi"tes th"t $oven"nt&
M"rri"%e is " pi$tre of God3s $oven"nt !ith 1sr"el& God revo*es the $oven"nt b)
$ontr"di$tin% one of its *e) forml"s in ,os& 1:9& 1n the s"me !")+ ,os& 2:2 dissolves the
m"rri"%e th"t depi$ts the $oven"nt b) $ontr"di$tin% the "n$ient forml" of m"rri"%e&
D.$.$ I'r"el&' S(rt%"l A#%lter2
4s the tri"l pro$eeds+ God m"*es ver) $le"r th"t his !ife is the %ilt) p"rt)& She h"s left her
hsb"nd for other men:
CShe decked herself with her earrings and :ewelry, and went after her lovers. (ut me she forgot,C says
the 7ord !os. "%$0&.
She h"s borne $hildren to her lovers:
' will not have mercy on her children, for they are the children of harlotry !os. "%+&.
She is i%nor"nt of the Cord3s %ifts to her+ "nd inste"d "ttribtes them to her lovers:
For she said, C' will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my linen,
my oil and my drinkC !os. "%?&.
For she did not know that ' gave her the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and multiplied silver to
her, and gold !os. "%E&.
She h"s stopped livin% "s the Cord3s !ife+ "nd !e "re not srprised th"t he insists+
She is not my wife,
and ' am not her husband !os. "%"&.
D.$.* P%!'hme!t or Re'tor"to!
9e "re !itnessin% " l"!sit bet!een God "nd the n"tion 1sr"el& 'hs f"r+ it loo*s (st li*e "n)
divor$e& 'he hsb"nd "$$ses the !ife of infidelit)+ "nd de$l"res th"t the) "re no lon%er m"n "nd
!ife&
1n modern divor$es+ the m"n "nd !om"n !old no! be free to %o their o!n !")s& 1sr"el h"s
no s$h freedom in ,ose" 2& God still "$ts li*e her hsb"nd& ,e is still (e"los+ "nd presses
$h"r%es "%"inst her for "dlter)& ,e still loves her "nd !"nts her for his !ife&
1sr"el is not free+ for God thre"tens her !ith (d%ment&
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7et her put away her harlotries from her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts, lest ' strip
her naked and e*pose her, as in the day she was born, and make her like a wilderness, and set her like a
dry land, and slay her with thirst !os. "%",0&.
/ow ' will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one shall deliver her from my hand
!os. "%$B&.
' will visit upon her the days of the (aals, in which she burned incense to them !os. "%$0&.
God "lso does not $l"im freedom to see* "nother !ife& ,e still !"nts 1sr"el&
Therefore, behold, ' will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in, so that she cannot find her
paths. She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them. She will seek them, but not find them. Then
she will say, C' will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.C !os.
"%1>A&
1n the third "$t of ,ose"3s dr"m" -,os& 2:14723/+ God promises to restore his bride to himself:
' will betroth you to me forever. ' will betroth you to me with righteousness, and with :ustice, and
with lovingkindness, and with mercy. ' will betroth you to me with faithfulness, and you shall know
the 7ord !os. "%$<>"B&.
,ose" 3 then emph"si#es this divine renion in the prophet3s life& 'ho%h the l"! re=ires "n
"dlteros !ife to be stoned+ ,ose"+ "fter divine insist"n$e+ t"*es b"$* his "dlteros !ife&
'o se$l"r re"ders both "n$ient "nd modern+ God3s sep"r"tion from 1sr"el in ,ose" is ver)
str"n%e& Ci*e m"n) divor$es+ it reslts from the nf"ithflness of one p"rt)+ "nd is " le%"l
pro$eedin%& ?nli*e se$l"r divor$es+ it does not end the rel"tionship of m"n "nd !ife& 1nste"d+ it
see*s restor"tion+ "nd offers pnishment b) de"th "s the onl) "ltern"tive&
,ose"3s des$ription of God pttin% "!") 1sr"el is str"n%e& Bt it is not "lone& Both 1s"i"h "nd
Leremi"h des$ribe the bre"*7p of God3s m"rri"%e !ith his people& 'he det"ils of the pi$tre
l"n%"%e differ "mon% the three boo*s& 4ll three le"d to the s"me ne2pe$ted ot$ome+ th"t
pttin% "!") does not end the rel"tionship bet!een m"n "nd !ife&
D.* 6erem"h&' Acco%!t
Leremi"h be%ins his ministr) to Ld"h+ the Sothern Din%dom+ in 52: B&;&+ the thirteenth )e"r of
Losi"h the *in% -Ler& 1:2/& 4lmost " hndred )e"rs h"ve p"ssed sin$e S"r%on too* 1sr"el+ the
@orthern Din%dom+ $"ptive to 4ss)ri"& 4 $entr) e"rlier+ the Sothern Din%dom s"! !h"t
h"ppened to their northern rel"tives& Bt the) refse to mend their !")s+ "nd Leremi"h mst
"nnon$e to them th"t their o!n (d%ment is $lose "t h"nd&
1n Leremi"h 3+ the prophet ses the met"phor of m"rit"l sep"r"tion both to re$"ll 1sr"el3s f"te
"nd to !"rn Ld"h of her o!n $omin% (d%ment&
D.*.1 6%#"h&' I#ol"tr2 "' A#%lter2
'hro%hot Ler& 2+ the prophet illstr"tes the !i$*edness of Ld"h3s idol"tr) !ith the met"phor of
m"rit"l infidelit)& 'hen+ in Ler& 3:1+ he e2pli$itl) introd$es the divor$e l"! of Fet& 24:174&
Ld"h $"llosl) "ssmes th"t she $"n indl%e her lsts "s lon% "s she ple"ses+ "nd then retrn to
the Cord !hen she finds it $onvenient& B) " $lose p"r"phr"se of God3s divor$e l"!+ Leremi"h
!"rns his he"rers th"t the) h"ve no ri%ht to presme on God3s %r"$e in this !")&
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CThey say, ='f a man divorces his wife, and she goes from him and becomes another man=s, may he
return to her againG 9ould not that land be greatly pollutedG= 'n your case, you have played the harlot
with many lovers, and would you now return to meGC says the 7ord.
Leremi"h "bstr"$ts three points from Feteronom) 24:
1& 1f " m"n divor$es his !ife+
2& "nd she lives !ith "nother m"n+
3& then her first hsb"nd m") not t"*e her b"$*&
,is !"rnin% %ro!s ot of the se$ond "nd third of these points&
Ld"h3s sin is !orse th"n th"t of the !om"n in Feteronom) 24& 'here+ the !om"n3s "dlter)
!"s $onfined to " sin%le m"n+ "nd m"de respe$t"ble !ith the veneer of Nm"rri"%e&N ,ere+ Ld"h
t"*es m"n) p"rtners in open h"rlotr)&
9here have you not been ravishedG (y the roads you have sat for them like an 8rabian in the
wilderness, and you have polluted the land with your harlotries and your wickedness. ... Dou have had
a harlot=s forehead. Dou refuse to be ashamed !@er. 0%">0&.
'he severit) of her sin m"*es (d%ment "ll the more imminent+ )et Ld"h refses to %r"sp the
enormit) of her infidelit)& She "ssmes th"t she $"n en(o) her sin "nd then $ome rnnin% b"$* to
the Cord "t the l"st moment:
'n the time of their trouble they will say Ito the 7ordJ, C8rise, and save us.C (ut where are your gods,
hom you have made for yourselfG 7et them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble !@er
"%"A,"E&.
Ld"h shold *no! from the l"! of Fet& 24:174 th"t "n "dlteros !ife h"s no $l"im on her
hsb"nd3s $"re "nd prote$tion&
D.*.$ The +emor2 of I'r"el&' Re>ecto!
Leremi"h see*s to "!"*en Ld"h to her peril b) remindin% her of her sister3s f"te& ,"vin%
introd$ed Ld"h3s sin nder the fi%re of "dlter)+ he des$ribes 1sr"el3s sin "nd re(e$tion b) the
Cord in the s"me terms+ sin% the s"me three points of the m"rit"l met"phor th"t !e h"ve tr"$ed
in ,ose": infidelit)+ pttin% "!")+ "nd restor"tion&
Leremi"h s")s e2pli$itl) th"t the Cord %"ve 1sr"el " N$ertifi$"te of divor$e+N re$"llin% the
det"iled le%"l l"n%"%e of ,ose"3s "$$ont&
8nd ' saw when, for all the causes whereby backsliding 'srael committed adultery, ' had sent her
away and given her certificate of divorce to her, yet her treacherous sister @udah feared not, but went
and played the harlot also !@er. 0%E&.
'he N"dlter)N mentioned in verse 6 is spirit"l "dlter)+ follo!in% "fter other %ods in pl"$e
of the Cord&
ave you seen what apostate 'srael has doneG She has gone up on every high mountain and under
every green tree, and there played the harlot !@er. 0%1&.
'he ;"n""nites bild their p"%"n s"n$t"ries in %roves of trees on the tops of hills& 1sr"el
$ommits "dlter) "%"inst the Cord b) p"rti$ip"tin% in this !orship&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
(acksliding 'srael committed adultery ... Through her casual harlotry, she polluted the land and
committed adultery with the stones and the trees !@er. 0%E><&.
N'he stones "nd the treesN here "re the idols !hom she h"s t"*en "s %ods inste"d of the Cord&
Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with me, oh
house of 'srael !@er. 0%"B&.
'he verb tr"nsl"ted Ntre"$herosl) dep"rtN "nd Nde"l tre"$herosl)N refers to the viol"tion of the
m"rri"%e $oven"nt& B) her "dlter)+ 1sr"el h"s bro*en th"t s"$red promise&
God pts 1sr"el "!") for her "dlter) "%"inst him& 4s in ,ose"+ the sep"r"tion does not bre"*
the rel"tionship bet!een the p"rties& 1sr"el is not free from God3s !r"th+ if she refses to repent&
,e+ in trn+ desires no other !ife+ bt invites her to retrn&
C)eturn, apostate 'srael,C says the 7ord, Cand ' will not cause my anger to fall on you. For ' am
merciful,C says the 7ord. C' will not remain angry forever. -nly acknowledge your iniquity, that you
have transgressed against the 7ord your God, and have scattered your ways to strangers under every
green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice,C says the 7ord. C)eturn, backsliding children,C says the
7ord, Cfor ' have married youC !@er. 0%$">$+&.
God does not s")+ N1 !ill m"rr) )o+N bt+ N1 h"ve m"rried )o&N ,e h"s pt 1sr"el "!")+ )et the
ori%in"l m"rri"%e is still in effe$t& God3s pttin% "!") of 1sr"el h"s m"n) effe$ts& 1t e2presses
God3s disple"sre over of 1sr"el3s "dlter)+ "nd it e2poses her to his !r"th& 8ne effe$t it does !ot
h"ve is the one se$l"r tho%ht most often "sso$i"tes !ith divor$e& 1t does not dissolve the
m"rri"%e bet!een them&
1t is !orth notin% ho! the =ot"tion of the divor$e l"! in Ler& 3:1 hi%hli%hts God3s %r"$e
to!"rd his people& 4$$ordin% to the l"!+ the nf"ithfl !ife $"nnot retrn to the first hsb"nd+
"nd God reb*es Ld"h for "ssmin% th"t she $"n $"s"ll) slide b"$* "nd forth from one p"rtner
to the other& ,er sin merits (d%ment+ "s Leremi"h !"rns over "nd over& >et the Cord+ nli*e "
hm"n hsb"nd+ $"n overrle the restri$tion of Fet& 24:4& ,e invited 1sr"el to retrn -Ler& 3:12/+
"nd he r%es Ld"h to trn "%"in to him+ not sperfi$i"ll)+ bt !ith "ll her he"rt -Ler& 4:4+14/&
D.5 I'""h&' Acco%!t
1s"i"h is " $ontempor"r) of ,ose"& 'he) both pre"$h Nin the d")s of ?##i"h+ Loth"m+ 4h"#+ "nd
,e#e*i"h+ *in%s of Ld"hN -,os& 1:1P 1s"& 1:1/& ,ose" spe"*s mostl) to the @orthern Din%dom
"nd !"rns of the 4ss)ri"n $"ptivit)& 1s"i"h "lso t"l*s "bot the 4ss)ri"n $"ptivit)+ bt his m"in
mess"%e is to the Sothern Din%dom+ Ld"h -1s"& 1:1/& 'he first 39 $h"pters of his prophe$ies
!"rn Ld"h of the $omin% B"b)loni"n $"ptivit)+ !hi$h be%"n "rond 500 B&;& ;h"pters 40
thro%h 55 t"*e "s their perspe$tive " time "fter th"t $"ptivit)+ "nd loo* for!"rd to God3s
restor"tion of the n"tion&
'hs 1s"i"h+ !ho lives before Leremi"h+ depi$ts the flfillment of the events of !hi$h
Leremi"h !"rns& Ld"h does not le"rn from 1sr"el3s sep"r"tion+ bt persists in her "dlter)+ "nd
1s"i"h reports th"t the Cord does indeed pt her "!") for her sin& Be$"se he is des$ribin% the
$"ptivit) "s p"st -r"ther th"n ftre+ "s ,ose" did for 1sr"el/+ he emph"si#es the $omin%
restor"tion&
1s"i"h does not p"$*"%e his pi$tre of Ld"h3s sep"r"tion from God "s ne"tl) "s ,ose" does
1sr"el3s+ bt spre"ds it thro%h five $h"pters of the restor"tion prophe$ies+ 1s"i"h 50 thro%h 54&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he three *e) im"%es of spirit"l "dlter)+ pttin% "!")+ "nd restor"tion min%le !ith pi$tres of
the G2ods "nd promises of the Messi"h+ the Serv"nt of the Cord+ in " *"leidos$ope of hope "nd
promise&
D.5.1 The Se("r"to! "!# 6%#"h&' )%lt
'he sep"r"tion is re$orded in 1s"& 50:1&
Thus says the 7ord% C9here is the certificate of your mother=s divorce, whom ' have put awayG -r
which of my creditors is it to whom ' have sold youG (ehold, for your iniquities you have sold
yourselves, and for your transgressions your mother has been put away.C
,ose" s")s th"t God pts the n"tion "!")+ "nd sho!s her "s the %ilt) p"rt)& 1s"i"h
emph"si#es th"t the !ife t"*es the initi"tive to le"ve& God never %ives Ld"h the le%"l $ertifi$"te
des$ribed in Feteronom) 24& ,er estr"n%ement is not =ite "s form"l "s th"t of the @orthern
Din%dom+ !hi$h !"s fonded on devi"tion from the tre f"ith& Still+ the end of the verse does
st"te th"t she Nh"s been pt "!")&N
1s"i"h ses t!o different pi$tres to sho! th"t the f"lt is Ld"h3s "lone& God did not sell her
"s " sl"veP she sold herself& God did not !rite her " $ertifi$"te of divor$eP she herself tr"ns%ressed
"%"inst him& 'his verse does not det"il the sin "s spirit"l "dlter)+ bt "$$s"tions of idol"tr) "re
prominent thro%hot the rest of the boo*+ "nd this offense is $ert"inl) in$lded in the
Nini=itiesN "nd Ntr"ns%ressionsN mentioned in 1s"& 50:1&
D.5.$ The Re'%lt of the Se("r"to!
Ld"h3s sep"r"tion from the Cord does not end their rel"tion& 1nste"d+ it opens the flood%"tes of
God3s !r"th "%"inst her& 1n 1s"& 51:1:720+ the prophet loo*s b"$* "t the pnishment God bro%ht
on her for her sin&
8wake, awakeK Stand up, - @erusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the 7ord the cup of his
fury. Dou have drunk, you have drained, the dregs of the cup of trembling !'sa. ?$%$A&.
She $"nnot trn for help to her hsb"nd+ for she h"s left him& Perh"ps the $hildren of th"t
m"rri"%e !ill "id her& Bt no+
there is no one to guide her among all the sons she has brought forth, nor is there any who takes her by
the hand among all the sons she has brought up. These two things have come to youH who will be sorry
for youG the desolation, and the destruction, and the famine, and the sword>>Lby whom will ' comfort
youG !'sa. ?$%$E>$<&
,er $hildren $"nnot s"ve her+ for the) "re $hildren of "dlter)+ "nd the Cord is "n%r) !ith them
"s m$h "s !ith their mother&
Dour sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, like an antelope in a net>>Lthey who are
full of the fury of the 7ord, the rebuke of your God !'sa. ?$%"B&.
>et "n%er is not God3s onl) response to Ld"h3s dep"rtre& 1mmedi"tel) "fter this re$ord of
pnishment+ God promises restor"tion:
See, ' have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury. Dou shall no
longer drink it any more !'sa. ?$%""&.
1n 1s"i"h 54+ the prophet retrns to the pi$tre of m"rri"%e to portr") this restor"tion&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
,o not fear, for you will not be ashamedH nor be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame. For you
will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.
N'he sh"me ofN Ld"h3s N)othN is her nf"ithflness to the Cord "s his !ife& N'he repro"$h of
)or !ido!hoodN is the sti%m" she be"rs "fter she h"s left him& God !ill remove the repro"$h of
!ido!hood b) t"*in% her "%"in "s his !ife& 'hen she !ill be f"ithfl to him+ "nd no lon%er
endre the sh"me of her )oth&
For your maker is your husband. The 7ord of osts is his name. 8nd your redeemer is the holy one of
'srael. e is called the God of the whole earth !'sa. ?+%?&.
1n spite of the pttin% "!")+ God is still her hsb"nd "nd her redeemer& 'he) h"ve been
estr"n%ed+ bt the sep"r"tion never "ltered their fnd"ment"l rel"tionship "s m"n "nd !ife& 'he
p"r"do2 bet!een N1 h"ve pt Y)oZ "!")N -1s"& 50:1/ "nd N)or m"*er is )or hsb"ndN -1s"&
54:5/ is the s"me "s th"t in Leremi"h bet!een N1 pt her "!")N -3:6/ "nd N1 h"ve m"rried )oN
-3:14/& 1n both $"ses+ divor$e serves to e2press the Cord3s !r"th+ bt does not "lter the
fnd"ment"l rel"tion bet!een m"n "nd !ife&
CFor the 7ord has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife, when
she is be refused,C says your God !'sa. ?+%1&.
God did refse her for her sin+ "nd she h"s $ome to morn the sep"r"tion she $r"ved& @o! he
restores her to himself&
CFor a short moment ' have forsaken you, but with great mercies ' will gather you. 9ith a gush of
wrath ' hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting lovingkindness ' will have mercy on
you,C says the 7ord, your )edeemer !'sa. ?+%A>E&.
9h"t "bot those $hildren to !hom she trned for help+ those $hildren !ho+ li*e her+ felt the
bl"st of God3s !r"thH @o! she !ill be"r the Cord3s o!n offsprin%+ !hom he !ill instr$t to
follo! him&
8ll your children shall be taught by the 7ord, and great shall be the peace of your children !'sa. ?+%$0&.
For 1s"i"h+ "s for ,ose" "nd Leremi"h+ God pts "!") his people be$"se the) "re nf"ithfl&
Ci*e ,ose" "nd Leremi"h+ "nd nli*e modern tho%ht+ 1s"i"h sho!s th"t this sep"r"tion does not
free God "nd his people from one "nother& Ld"h is not free to prse her idols+ bt is pnished
for her "dlter)& God does not t"*e "nother !ife+ bt p"tientl) pl"ns the restor"tion of his tre
love&
D.8 E?(l"!!, the +et"(hor of P%tt!, A:"2
4fter h"vin% $onsidered the propheti$ te2ts+ !e $"n smm"ri#e the $ontr"sts bet!een hm"n
divor$e "nd the sep"r"tion of God "nd 1sr"el& 'o nderst"nd this met"phor+ !e need to revie! the
mess"%e th"t the prophets h"ve to $onve) "nd the options open to them !ithin the bro"der
pi$tre of m"rri"%e& 'hen !e $"n nderst"nd !h) the prophets s") th"t God pts 1sr"el "!")+
"nd !h) the) "lter the det"ils of this sep"r"tion from those of $ommon divor$e&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
D.8.1 A Str"!,e /!# of Se("r"to!
1sr"el3s l"! does not s"n$tion divor$e& 'he $ommon $ltre+ tho%h+ does pr"$ti$e divor$e+ "nd
nderst"nds it ver) m$h "s people do tod")& 'hen "nd no!+ people thin* th"t " divor$e ends "
m"rri"%e+ so th"t the p"rtners h"ve no obli%"tion to one "nother "nd "re free to rem"rr)&
God3s sep"r"tion from 1sr"el is different from this prev"ilin% vie!& 9hen God pts 1sr"el
"!")+ the p"rties rem"in rel"ted to one "nother& 1sr"el is not free to t"*e "nother hsb"nd+ "nd the
Cord does not !"nt to t"*e "nother !ife& 1sr"el mst still de"l !ith the Cord& ,e !ill either
for%ive her or pnish her&
,ere is " dilemm"& 'he prophets des$ribe God "s the hsb"nd of 1sr"el& M"rri"%e is "n
"ppropri"te met"phor for them to se& >et !hen God pts 1sr"el "!")+ he does it in " !") ver)
different from the divor$es th"t people *no! in d"il) life& 'o nderst"nd this "ltered im"%e+ !e
need to e2"mine the ide"s th"t the prophets "re tr)in% to $onve)&
D.8.$ The Pro(hetc +e''",e
God h"s desi%ned m"rri"%e so th"t the prophets $"n depi$t God "nd his people "s m"n "nd !ife&
P"rt of the stor) th"t the prophets mst tell is th"t 1sr"el h"s viol"ted her side of the $oven"nt+ "nd
God !ill de"l !ith her& ,o! do the) e2press this $on$ept !ithin the fr"me!or* of m"rri"%eH
'he l"! of forni$"tion "nd "dlter) in Feteronom) 22 %ives one set of im"%es th"t the) $"n
se& Moses $omm"nds th"t f"ithless !ives be stoned& 'he prophets $"n simpl) s") th"t the n"tion
is " f"ithless !ife+ "nd God !ill destro) her for her sin& Bt the) $"nnot pre"$h onl) (d%ment+
for God h"s %iven them " mess"%e of for%iveness "nd restor"tion "s !ell&
'he prophets h"ve "nother set of im"%es !ith !hi$h the) $"n tell the stor) of " f"ithless !ife&
'heir so$iet) re$o%ni#es divor$e "s " !") for " m"n to be rid of s$h " !om"n&
'here is need for $"tion here& 'he C"! no!here s"n$tions divor$e& 1t !"rns repe"tedl)
"%"inst "dlter) "nd h"rlotr)+ "nd divor$e is " le%"l tri$* th"t people se to (stif) these sins& 'he
prophets *no! th"t God nites m"n "nd !ife in " !") th"t no hm"n instittion $"n sever& 9hen
" $ople divor$es "nd the p"rtners m"rr) other people+ the) $ommit "dlter)& 'he prophets d"re
not portr") God "s doin% somethin% sinfl&
4t the s"me time+ the l"! no!here $ondemns divor$e itself& 1t is rem"rri"%e th"t is "dlter)&
1t !ill be t!o hndred )e"rs before God reve"ls thro%h M"l"$hi th"t he Nh"tes divor$eN -M"l&
2:15/+ "nd even there the $onte2t sho!s th"t the problem is Nde"lin% tre"$herosl)+N bre"*in% the
m"rri"%e $oven"nt b) "dlter)& 4 hsb"nd does not sin b) repdi"tin% " !ife !ho h"s "lre"d)
bro*en th"t $oven"nt& 1ndeed+ the l"! $omm"nds the !ron%ed hsb"nd to repdi"te her+ "nd to
Npt the evil "!") from "mon%N the n"tion b) stonin% her& Stonin%+ ho!ever+ does not $onve)
the prophets3 mess"%e&
D.8.* The Pro(hetc Im",e
Gided b) the ,ol) Spirit+ the prophets depi$t God "s pttin% 1sr"el "!")+ !hile t"*in% t!o
pre$"tions to "void misnderst"ndin%&
First+ to prote$t God3s rept"tion+ the) m"*e it $le"r th"t 1sr"el h"s "lre"d) bro*en the
m"rri"%e $oven"nt b) her "dlter)& -'he) need to m"*e th"t point "n)!")+ for in re"lit) 1sr"el
h"s bro*en the $oven"nt God m"de !ith her "t Mont Sin"i&/
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Se$ond+ the) do not !"nt people to s") th"t the) "re Nfollo!in% God3s e2"mpleN b) divor$in%
f"ithless !ives& 'he people shold follo! the l"! "nd stone them& So the prophets m"*e it $le"r
th"t God3s sep"r"tion frees neither God nor his people to see* other p"rtners& 'he) "re still bond
to e"$h other+ "nd if 1sr"el does not repent+ her destin) !ill be the s"me "s tho%h she h"d been
stoned& 1n God3s soverei%n mer$)+ she !ill repent+ "nd he !ill restore her to himself&
'his pi$tre is e2"$tl) the one !e h"ve seen in ,ose"+ Leremi"h+ "nd 1s"i"h& 'he met"phor of
God3s sep"r"tion lets them sho! God3s !r"th "%"inst 1sr"el3s spirit"l "dlter)& 1t is the first st"%e
in " se=en$e of "$tions th"t le"ds n"tr"ll) to destr$tion+ illstr"ted b) the stonin% of the
"dlteress& ?nli*e stonin%+ it le"ves the !") open for repent"n$e "nd restor"tion& Be$"se the
C"! does not forbid divor$e e2pli$itl)+ the prophets $"n se it+ !ith $ert"in ="lifi$"tions+ to
des$ribe God& Bt the !") 1sr"el "nd other people $ommonl) pr"$ti$e divor$e+ "s " me"ns of
dissolvin% m"rri"%e+ is "%"inst the C"!& 'he prophets do not !"nt to %ive t"$it "pprov"l to this
pr"$ti$e& So the) sensitivel) des$ribe God3s "$tion to sho! th"t it does not end God3s m"rri"%e
!ith 1sr"el+ bt pl"$es it in "n nst"ble $ondition !here 1sr"el mst $hoose bet!een for%iveness
"nd (d%ment&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t simil"rities s%%est des$ribin% God3s rel"tion !ith 1sr"el "s " m"rri"%eH
2& 9h"t prophets spe$ifi$"ll) e2tend this met"phor to spe"* of God pttin% "!") 1sr"elH
3& 9h"t three fe"tres do "ll of these des$riptions sh"reH
4& ,o! is God3s sep"r"tion from the @orthern Din%dom different from his sep"r"tion from
the Sothern Din%domH
5& 9h"t is ns"l "bot God3s sep"r"tion from his people+ $omp"red !ith hm"n
divor$eH
5& 9h) do the prophets des$ribe s$h "n ns"l form of m"rit"l sep"r"tion+ r"ther th"n
sin% stonin% or norm"l divor$e to pi$tre God3s re(e$tion of 1sr"elH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER E
ELRA&S DIVORCE COURT
'he Bible niforml) dis"pproves of divor$e& So !e "re srprised to find in $h"pters 9 "nd 10 of
G#r" " spirit"l le"der "pp"rentl) r%in% his men to re(e$t their !omen& 1n this $h"pter+
!e std) the histori$"l 'ett!, of G#r"3s "$tion
"nd le"rn :h2 it is ri%ht for him to do it&
'hen !e $omp"re his "$tions !ith Ne: Te't"me!t instr$tions for simil"r sit"tions+
"nd e2pl"in the #ffere!ce' bet!een the t!o $"ses&
E.1 The H'torc"l Sett!,
G#r" is " Bible te"$her !ho lives in Lers"lem be%innin% "bot 456 B&;& 'o nderst"nd his
so$iet)+ !e need to loo* b"$* more th"n " $entr) before his time+ to the destr$tion of
Lers"lem+ the B"b)loni"n $"ptivit)+ "nd the Le!ish restor"tion&
E.1.1 The F"ll of 6er%'"lem to Neb%ch"#!e44"r
Fe! d")s "re "s bl"$* in the memor) of 1sr"el "s the ninth d") of the month 4b+ 565 B&;&+ !hen
the B"b)loni"n *in% @eb$h"dne##"r destro)s the temple in Lers"lem&
Solomon l"bors for seven )e"rs to r"ise this monment to the God of 1sr"el& 'hen the people
%"ther there three times " )e"r+ "t the %re"t pil%rim"%e fe"sts of P"ssover+ Pente$ost+ "nd
'"bern"$les& 1sr"elites offer s"$rifi$es in it to %ive th"n*s to God "nd "s* his for%iveness for sin&
'he priests serve there for t!o !ee* shifts+ "nd then retrn to their vill"%es to instr$t the people
in the l"! of God& 'he temple is the $enter of 1sr"el3s life "nd $ltre&
'hen+ sddenl)+ it is %one& 'he ele%"nt $ed"r p"nelin% brns to "shes& P"%"n h"nds te"r "!")
the orn"ments of %old "nd silver+ "s boot) for forei%n %ods& 'he %re"t he!n stones $r"sh into the
$ort)"rds& 4nd those !ho !old r"ther st"nd "nd morn+ m"r$h in $h"ins to " l"nd hndreds of
miles "nd !ee*s of tr"vel "!")&
>et not "ll is %ood th"t perishes nder @eb$h"dne##"r3s tor$h& For )e"rs+ the temple
preserved the form of the 1sr"elite f"ith+ !hile the $ontent of th"t f"ith de$")ed "nd rotted& 'he
*in%s of Ld"h trned "!") from the God of 4br"h"m+ 1s""$+ "nd L"$ob+ "nd !orshipped other
%ods+ the %ods of the p"%"n n"tions "rond them& 'he) bro%ht this !orship even into the $orts
of the temple+ ere$tin% "lt"rs to f"lse deities in the s"n$t"r) of the Cord& 1roni$"ll)+ the problem
!"s "s old "s the temple itself& Solomon+ !ho bilt the temple+ "lso bilt s"n$t"ries for f"lse
%ods+ so th"t his p"%"n !ives $old !orship their deities in Lers"lem -1 Din%s 11/& 9h"t
h"ppens to the temple nder @eb$h"dne##"r "lre"d) h"ppened+ )e"rs before+ to the f"ith it !"s
me"nt to enshrine& 'he ,ebre! Prophets te"$h th"t the f"ll of Lers"lem "nd the B"b)loni"n
$"ptivit) "re God3s $h"stisement on his !")!"rd $hildren&
E.1.$ The 6e:'h Re'tor"to!
'he dis"ster of 565 B&;& is " severe $h"stisement& >et God ses it+ li*e "ll $h"stisement+ to help
those !ho endre it&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Sevent) )e"rs "fter the brnin% of the temple+ B"b)lon itself f"lls to the Persi"n $on=eror
;)rs+ "s the ,ebre! Prophets s"id it !old& ;)rs+ "%"in flfillin% the Prophets+ permits the
Le!s to retrn home "nd restore their tr"dition"l s"n$t"r)&
'he ref%ees "re #e"los for pre !orship& Sobered !ith the memor) of God3s re$ent
(d%ment+ the) $"refll) offer their s"$rifi$es N"s it is !ritten in the C"! of Moses the m"n of
God+ \ "s the dt) of ever) d") re=iredN -G#r" 3:2+4/& 'he priests $ond$t their !or* N"fter the
ordin"n$e of F"vid *in% of 1sr"elN -G#r" 3:10/&
'hese ref%ees "rrive in three !"ves& 'he first %rop $omes nder the le"dership of
Merbb"bel+ !ho is the %overnor of Ld"h in the Persi"n bre"$r"$) -,"%%"i 1:1P 2:2+21/&
Gi%ht) )e"rs l"ter " sm"ller %rop of Le!s retrns !ith G#r"& 4fter thirteen more )e"rs+ "nother
b"nd $omes b"$* !ith @ehemi"h+ !ho li*e Merbb"bel is " Persi"n offi$i"l of Le!ish des$ent&
Merbb"bel "nd @ehemi"h "re "dministr"tors& 'he) spervise the t"s*s of rebildin% first the
temple+ then the $it) !"ll& G#r" is " priest+ N" re"d) s$ribe in the C"! of MosesN -G#r" ::5/&
E.1.* The Wor. of E4r"
G#r" retrns to Lers"lem+ "s did the others+ be"rin% %ifts "nd bsiness p"pers from the Persi"n
rler& ,is person"l motive+ tho%h+ is " p"stor"l one:
EFra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the 7ord, and to do it, and to teach in 'srael statute
and ordinance !EFra A%$B&.
,e h"s " m"nd"te from Din% 4rt"2er2es to est"blish the C"! of Moses "s the $ivil l"! of
Lers"lem& 'he *in% tells him to "ppoint m"%istr"tes !ho *no! 1sr"el3s C"! -G#r" ::25/+ "nd
instr$ts him+
9hoever will not do the law of your God, 5 let :udgment be e*ecuted on him with all diligence !EFra
A%"1&.
G#r" $omes !ith $ivil "thorit) to %ide the people in obedien$e to God3s l"!&
Shortl) "fter G#r" "rrives+ " %rop of le"ders $omes to him for $onsel& 'he) report+
The people of 'srael, and the priests, and the 7evites, have not separated themselves from the people of
the lands. ... For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons, and the holy
seed have mingled themselves with the people of the lands. 'ndeed, the hand of the princes and the
rulers has been chief in this trespass !EFra <%$>"&.
G#r" is "stonished to he"r th"t this remn"nt+ !hose prpose is to "void the sins of the p"st+
h"s slipped so =i$*l) into Solomon3s ori%in"l error of p"%"n sposes& ,e rips his %"rments "nd
te"rs the h"ir from his be"rd "nd he"d to sho! his %rief& 'hen he pors ot his he"rt in " pr")er
of "b(e$t $onfession "nd peniten$e to God -G#r" 9/&
M"n) of the sinners "re (olted b) G#r"3s inter$ession& 'he) %"ther "bot him "nd !eep !ith
him over their sin& 'hen one of their nmber s%%ests !h"t the) shold do&
9e have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan women from the peoples of the land. Det
now 'srael has hope concerning this. So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the
women, and those who have been born to them, according to the counsel of the 7ord, and of those that
tremble at the commandment of our GodH and let it be done according to the 7aw !EFra $B%",0&.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
G#r" "%rees !ith the s%%estion& 'he le"ders smmon the entire popl"tion+ nder severe
thre"t:
9hoever would not come within three days, 5 all his property would be confiscated, and he himself
would be separated from the congregation !EFra $B%E&.
9hen the people "ssemble+ there "re too m"n) mi2ed $oples to h"ndle them "ll on the spot&
For the ne2t three months G#r" "nd sele$ted elders l"bor over the $"ses+ dissolvin% the nions
th"t thre"ten the vit"lit) of the )on% $ommon!e"lth& 'he !or* is not e"s) or ple"s"nt& Gven
people from the priestl) f"milies "re involved& Some of the nions "re of lon% st"ndin%+ "nd
m"n) h"ve $hildren -G#r" 10:44/& 1t is " so$i"l phe"v"l of m"(or proportions+ ndert"*en onl)
be$"se the people re"li#e th"t the "ltern"tive is Nthe fier$e !r"th of or GodN -G#r" 10:14/&
E.$ Wh2 #oe' E4r" Ur,e Se("r"to!0
'he "$tions of G#r" 10 pose " $h"llen%in% p##le& G#r" "nd his $ontempor"ries !"nt to follo!
the C"! of Moses to the tmost det"il& 'he) "re pl"inl) the heros of the s$riptr"l re$ord& >et
the) "re sep"r"tin% f"milies+ !hile the C"!+ the Prophets+ the Gospels+ "nd the Gpistles de$r)
divor$e&
E.$.1 E4r" "!# +"l"ch
Some of God3s l"!s $h"n%e from time to time& 'he l"!s of m"rri"%e "re $omp"r"tivel) st"ble&
Moses+ hndreds of )e"rs before G#r"+ re$o%ni#es onl) de"th "s endin% " m"rri"%e& ;entries
"fter G#r"+ the Cord Less in M"tthe! 5 $onfirms this le%isl"tion& 1n G#r"3s o!n %ener"tion+ to
G#r"3s o!n so$iet)+ the prophet M"l"$hi m"*es one of the stron%est st"tements "%"inst divor$e in
the entire Bible:
The 7ord testified between you and your youth>wife, with whom you have dealt treacherously. Det is
she your companion, and your covenant>wife. ... Therefore take heed to your spirit, that none deal
treacherously with his youth>wife. For the 7ord, the God of 'srael, says that he hates putting away.
CFor it covers one=s garment with violence,C says the 7ord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit,
that you deal not treacherously !;alachi "%$+>$1&.
M"l"$hi emph"si#es th"t Nthe Cord \ h"tes divor$e+N !hile G#r" tells the s"me %ener"tion
th"t the) mst pt "!") their $onsorts& 1n spite of "ppe"r"n$es+ G#r" "nd M"l"$hi do not
dis"%ree& B) observin% $"refll) ho! G#r" des$ribes the nions+ !e !ill see th"t he distin%ishes
them from ordin"r) m"rri"%es+ m$h "s Moses distin%ishes $on$bines& B) re$"llin% the le%"l
st"ts of mi2ed nions nder the C"! of Moses+ !e !ill le"rn the re"son for this distin$tion&
E.$.$ Ho: E4r" De'crbe' the U!o!'
9hen !e stdied $on$bin"%e in ;h"pter 5 !e le"rned th"t bibli$"l so$iet) re$o%ni#es more th"n
one *ind of m"rri"%e+ "nd God3s C"! imposes different st"nd"rds on these different rel"tionships&
;on$bin"%e+ for inst"n$e+ is less bindin% th"n fll m"rri"%e+ bt more bindin% th"n " $"s"l
"lli"n$e& 9e re$o%ni#ed th"t $on$bin"%e !"s distin$t from fll m"rri"%e be$"se it h"s "
distin$tive n"me& B) stdin% e2"mples of the $stom+ !e $on$lded th"t it provided for !ives of
" spe$ifi$ so$i"l $l"ss&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
;on$bin"%e "nd fll m"rri"%e m") be $omp"red "lon% three dimensions& Cin%isti$"ll)+
tho%h some m"rri"%e idioms "ppl) to both+ there is " spe$i"l term for " $on$bine& So$i"ll)+ "
$on$bine is her m"ster3s sl"ve+ !hile " fll !ife is not& Ce%"ll)+ the C"! dis$or"%es divor$e of
" fll !ife+ bt permits divor$e of " $on$bine&
'he s"me three dimensions help s to nderst"nd the nions in G#r" 9 "nd 10& Ce%"ll)+ G#r"
dem"nds th"t these nions be ended+ !hile $on$bin"%e m") be ended "nd fll m"rri"%e mst
not be ended& So$i"ll)+ the nions in G#r" 9 "nd 10 "re !ith free forei%n !omen+ not sl"ves or
free 1sr"elites& Cin%isti$"ll)+ li*e $on$bin"%e+ these nions "re des$ribed !ith l"n%"%e th"t
in$ldes some m"rri"%e idioms bt "lso h"s distin$t fe"tres& 'he le%"l "nd so$i"l $h"r"$ter of
the $"ses !ith !hi$h G#r" de"ls "re $le"r from or histori$"l srve)& ,ere+ !e dis$ss the
lin%isti$ distin$tions in more det"il&
D't!ct1e L"!,%",e ! E4r" C;1H&0'he des$riptions of the nions in G#r" 9 "nd 10 differ in
sbtle !")s from the st"nd"rd l"n%"%e for m"rri"%e th"t !e stdied in the notes to ;h"pter 3
'he e2pressions th"t des$ribe ho! the 1sr"elites enter these nions "re shorter th"n the st"nd"rd
e2pression "nd se different verbs+ s%%estin% th"t the nions "re not le%itim"te&
G#r" 9 "nd 10 des$ribe the nions of 1sr"elite men !ith p"%"n !omen !ith the phr"se+ Nt"*e
" !om"n&N
They have taken some of their daughters for themselves and for their sons !<%"&.
9e have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan women !$B%"&.
Dou have transgressed, and have taken pagan women !$B%$B&.
5all those 5who have taken pagan women 5 !$B%$+&
5all the men who had taken pagan women 5!$B%$A&
5 there were found 5 those who had taken pagan women 5 !$B%$E&
8ll these had taken pagan women !$B%++&.
'he e2pression N,e too* " !om"nN $"n des$ribe m"rri"%e in the Bible+ "s in Gen& 25:1 or Ler&
29:5& ,o!ever+ it $"n "lso des$ribe " r"pe -Gen& 34:2/+ so it does not b) itself impl) th"t " nion
is le%itim"te& Bibli$"l !riters se more $ompli$"ted e2pressions+ s$h "s Nhe too* to him "
!om"nN or Nhe too* her "nd she !"s to him "s " !om"n+N to refer n"mbi%osl) to m"rri"%e&
Frthermore the st"nd"rd e2pression else!here "l!")s ses " $ert"in verb Nto t"*eN th"t the
e2pressions in G#r" 9 "nd 10 do not se& G#r" ses t!o !ords+ both different from Ntoo*N in Gen&
24:5:& 'he verbs sed in G#r" 9 "nd 10 "ppe"r else!here in the 8ld 'est"ment+ "nd "l!")s
des$ribe sbst"nd"rd nions& Sometimes the) "re "pplied to pol)%"m)& More often+ "s here+ the)
refer to nions !ith p"%"ns& @ever do the) des$ribe " m"rri"%e s$h "s th"t of 4d"m "nd Gve+ or
4br"h"m "nd S"r"h+ or 1s""$ "nd .ebe*"h& 'he verbs sed in G#r" 9 "nd 10+ "s !ell "s the form
of the e2pression+ impl) th"t somethin% is !ron% !ith the nion th"t the) des$ribe&
St"!#"r# E?(re''o!' ! E4r" C;1H&0'he short e2pression "nd the nonst"nd"rd verbs "re
lin%isti$ $les th"t these nions differ from fll m"rri"%es+ (st "s the spe$i"l !ord for "
$on$bine "lerts s to " distin$t rel"tionship !ith sl"ves& >et these nions "re more th"n $"s"l
"lli"n$es+ "s !e le"rn from the len%th of time "nd the "mont of effort needed to dissolve them in
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
"n orderl) f"shion& 'hs !e "re not srprised to see some st"nd"rd m"rri"%e l"n%"%e sed to
des$ribe them&
8ne of the lon%er e2pressions for enterin% " m"rri"%e o$$rs on$e in these $h"pters+ in G#r"
9:2+ !hen the le"ders report to G#r" shortl) "fter his "rriv"l+
The people of 'srael 5 have taken of Ithe pagans=J daughters for themselves, and for their sons.
'he forml"+ Nto t"*e Y" !om"nZ for someone+N is no!here sed of " r"pe or other $"s"l
nion& 1t is the e2pression th"t 4br"h"m ses to send his serv"nt to find " !ife for 1s""$ in Gen&
24:4+ :+ 3:+ 36+ 40& ,o!ever+ the verb in G#r" 9:2 is not the st"nd"rd m"rri"%e verb+ bt one of
the nf"mili"r verbs sed else!here in these $h"pters& 'he form of the st"tement s%%ests "n
offi$i"l m"rri"%e+ bt the verb is different&
'he most offi$i"l m"rri"%e idiom th"t "ppe"rs in these $h"pters is the e2pression Ntheir
!ivesN in G#r" 10:19+ des$ribin% the forei%n p"rtners of some of the priests& Ci*e the form of
G#r" 9:2+ this e2pression refle$ts the st"bilit) "nd inform"l so$i"l "$$ept"n$e of the nions& 4s in
the $"se of $on$bin"%e+ the spe$i"l e2pressions sed to des$ribe the nions "lert s th"t the)
m") be tre"ted differentl) from fll m"rri"%es&
E.$.* +?e# U!o!' "!# the L": of +o'e'
G#r" 9 "nd 10 des$ribe the nion of "n 1sr"elite "nd " p"%"n !ith distin$tive l"n%"%e be$"se
the C"! of Moses forbids s$h nions& G#r" in his pr")er of $onfession re$"lls the l"! %iven
ori%in"ll) in Fet& ::3&
9e have forsaken your commandments, which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying,
C5 /ow therefore do not give your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters for your
sonsC !EFra <%$B>$"&.
'he C"! of Moses is the $ornerstone "nd $onstittion of the restor"tion& Mi2ed nions
viol"te the $onstittion+ so the) "re ille%"l& 'his p"rti$l"r l"! !"s i%nored "s the $stom %re!
more popl"r& Bt these $oples !ere never le%"ll) m"rried& 'he) never $"n be m"rried+ "s lon%
"s one p"rtner rem"ins p"%"n& G#r" "nd his helpers "re not "dvo$"tin% divor$e& 'he) "re
"nnllin% nions th"t $"nnot en(o) the $ivil endorsement re=ired for " fll m"rri"%e&
E.$.5 E4r" "!# +"l"ch A,"!
8r "ttention !"s dr"!n to G#r"3s "$tions b) their $ontr"st !ith M"l"$hi3s stron% te"$hin% "%"inst
divor$e& 'he t!o te"$hers do not $ontr"di$t one "nother& G#r" does not $omm"nd the people to
divor$e "nd ths betr") N)or !ife b) $oven"ntN -M"l& 2:14/+ bt to fors"*e p"rtnerships th"t
viol"te the $ivil l"!& M"l"$hi feels "s stron%l) "bot p"%"n nions "s G#r" does& Lst before
denon$in% the divor$e of " trl) m"rried $ople+ he $ries ot+
@udah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in 'srael and in @erusalem. For @udah
has profaned the holiness of the 7ord, \ and has married the daughter of a strange god !;al. "%$$&.
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E.* +?e# +"rr",e' ! the Ne: Te't"me!t
G#r" sep"r"tes Le!s from their p"%"n p"rtners& 'od")+ believers m"rried to nbelievers "re in "
simil"r sit"tion& Shold $hr$h le"ders r%e members of their flo$*s to le"ve nbelievin%
sposesH
Ci*e G#r"+ the @e! 'est"ment dis"pproves of mi2ed nions& ?nli*e G#r"+ it tells believers
!ith nbelievin% p"rtners to st") !ith them+ r"ther th"n to le"ve&
E.*.1 +?e# U!o!' "re Wro!,
'he @e! 'est"ment %ives stron% !"rnin%s "%"inst "n) $ommitments to nbelievers+ not (st
m"rri"%e& For e2"mple+ P"l $h"r%es the ;orinthi"ns !ith bein% so friendl) !ith nbelievers th"t
the) h"ve no time for their brothers "nd sisters in ;hrist& P"l s")s th"t the) n(stl) re(e$t him:
Dou are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. /ow \ you also be open
!" .or. 1%$",$0&.
9e m") p"r"phr"se this+
9e have not shut you out, but you have shut us out of your affections. ' beg you, make room for us.
C"ter he r%es them+
)eceive us. 9e have wronged no man. 9e have corrupted no man. 9e have defrauded no man. \
Dou are in our hearts, to die and live with you !" .or. A%">0&.
,e mst ple"d for their "ffe$tion be$"se the) h"ve been sed$ed b) n%odl) inflen$es&
Bet!een these t!o re=ests for their "ffe$tion+ P"l instr$ts them+
,o not become unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and
lawlessness haveG 8nd what communion does light have with darknessG 8nd what concord does
.hrist have with (elialG -r what part does a believer have with an unbelieverG 8nd what agreement
does the temple of God have with idolsG For you are the temple of the living God% as God has said, C'
will dwell in them, and walk in them, and ' will be their God, and they shall be my people.C
9herefore, C.ome out from among them, and be separate,C says the 7ord, Cand touch not the unclean
thing, and ' will receive you, and will be a Father unto you and you shall be my sons and daughters,C
says the 7ord 8lmighty. aving therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from
all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God !" .or. 1%$+>A%$&.
Believers mst N$ome ot fromN n%odl) "lli"n$es+ if the) !ish to be God3s Nsons "nd
d"%hters&N @o ;hristi"n !ho nderst"nds this prin$iple $"n $ontempl"te the intim"$) of m"rried
life !ith "n nbeliever&
E.*.$ +?e# U!o!' Sho%l# Not -e D''ol1e#
'he @e! 'est"ment $ondemns mi2ed m"rri"%es& >et it des$ribes no episode p"r"llel to th"t of
G#r"& 'here !ere m"n) mi2ed m"rri"%es in the e"rl) $hr$hes+ resltin% !hen one spose
re$eived ;hrist "nd the other did not& 'he @e! 'est"ment !riters never tell the believin% spose
to le"ve the nbeliever& 1n f"$t P"l tells the ;orinthi"ns to rem"in in s$h nions&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'f any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
8nd as for the woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her
not leave him !$ .or. A%$">$0&.
'hese "re the s"me ;hristi"ns !hom he l"ter e2horts not to be Nne="ll) )o*ed to%ether
!ith nbelievers&N 'he rel"tion is ndesir"ble+ bt he does not $omm"nd them to end it+ "s G#r"
did& 'ho%h the @e! 'est"ment forbids $lose "lli"n$es !ith nbelievers+ it e2pli$itl) s")s th"t
believers !ho "re m"rried to nbelievers shold rem"in in those nions&
'he instr$tion not to dissolve mi2ed m"rri"%es is no e2$se for " believer to m"rr) "n
nbeliever& 9e h"ve "lre"d) seen th"t " believer !ho m"rries "n nbeliever sins "%"inst the
Cord+ "nd $"n e2pe$t divine $h"stisement for s$h disobedien$e& P"l3s instr$tions "re intended
for people !ho be$ome ;hristi"ns "fter m"rri"%e+ "nd !hose sposes do not follo! them in f"ith&
'he) do not (stif) enterin% " nion th"t is mi2ed from its be%innin%&
E.5 Wh2 #o E4r" "!# the Ne: Te't"me!t Dffer0
1n ;h"pter 3+ !e s"! th"t " v"lid m"rri"%e re=ires ph)si$"l nion+ the promise of mt"l
$ommitment of the p"rtners+ "nd $onformit) to the $ivil l"! in effe$t !hen the m"rri"%e t"*es
pl"$e& 'he third element+ $onformit) to $ivil l"!+ distin%ishes the sit"tion in G#r" 9710 from
p"r"llels in the @e! 'est"ment "nd in modern so$iet)&
'he $ivil "thorit) in Lers"lem drin% the restor"tion period is th"t of Persi"+ dele%"ted
thro%h the %overnor of Lde"& 'h"t %overnor is " Le!+ "nd rles the $ommnit) "$$ordin% to the
C"! of Moses& 'he C"! of Moses is ths " $ivil $onstittion+ "s !ell "s " divine revel"tion& 1t
forbids the m"rri"%e of believer !ith nbeliever& 1n th"t $onte2t+ " mi2ed nion $"n never be "
v"lid m"rri"%e& 1t m") embod) ph)si$"l nion "nd deep mt"l $ommitment+ bt it $"nnot s"tisf)
the re=irements of $ivil l"!& Be$"se the nions $"n never be norm"li#ed+ the) mst be
dissolved&
1n first7$entr) ;orinth "nd in modern !estern so$iet)+ the $ivil "thorit) does not follo!
bibli$"l prin$iples& 'he spirit"l st"te of the p"rtners in " m"rri"%e me"ns " %re"t de"l to the
$hr$h "nd s)n"%o%e+ bt is irrelev"nt to the $ivil definition of m"rri"%e in "n$ient Gree$e or
the modern ?nited St"tes& 4 mi2ed nion is ille%"l in Lers"lem nder G#r"+ bt "$$ept"ble to the
$ivil "thorities in ;orinth in 4&F& 50 or in @e! >or* in 4&F& 196:& Spirit"l problems !ill
reslt from s$h " nion+ "nd !ith these spirit"l problems the $hr$h mst de"l& Bt the
m"rri"%e is le%"ll) in order+ "nd to dissolve it is divor$e&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h) does God send the $hildren of 1sr"el into $"ptivit) in B"b)lonH
2& 9h"t is the $onstittion of the Le!ish $ommon!e"lth "fter the B"b)loni"n $"ptivit)H
3& 9h"t is the st"ts of mi2ed nions nder th"t bod) of l"!H
4& 9h"t eviden$e is there in G#r" th"t mi2ed nions "re $onsidered irre%l"rH
5& Fo G#r"3s "$tions spport divor$eH 9h) or !h) notH
5& Foes the @e! 'est"ment "pprove of mi2ed m"rri"%esH
:& ;omp"re "nd $ontr"st the h"ndlin% of mi2ed nions nder G#r" "nd in the @e!
'est"ment&
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6& Shold " believer tod") see* to dissolve " mi2ed m"rri"%eH 9h) or !h) notH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER C
DIVORCE IN OUR LORD&S SER+ON ON THE +OUNT
1n the Sermon on the Mont+ the Cord Less r"ises sever"l pr"$ti$"l =estions "bot %odl) livin%&
8ne of these is the m"tter of divor$e -M"tt& 5:32/&
9hoever dismisses his wife, e*cept for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery,
and whoever marries a dismissed woman commits adultery.
'hese verses "re p##lin%+ be$"se the $l"se "bot forni$"tion "pplies onl) to the divor$ed !ife
"nd not to her se$ond hsb"nd& 1f her divor$e reslts from forni$"tion+ she "ppe"rs to be
prote$ted from $ommittin% "dlter)+ bt her ftre spose is not] S$hol"rs h"ve !restled !ith
these verses for $entries+ "nd the notes to this $h"pter smm"ri#e some of their "ppro"$hes& 'his
$h"pter presents " ne! soltion&
9e be%in b) st"tin% the p##le in more det"il&
B) $omp"rin% the divor$e verses !ith their $onte2t+!e see th"t the Cord is "ddressin%
"n error in the Ph"risees3 te"$hin% "bot divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e&
'hen !e sho! ho! the p##le "rises from " pl") on !ords th"t the Cord ses in
$orre$tin% their error&
C.1 The P%44le of +"tt. 8:*$
'he p##le of M"tthe! 5:32 $enters "bot the $l"se th"t re"ds+ Ne2$ept for the $"se of
forni$"tion&N 1f this $l"se !ere not here+ the verse !old re"d+
9hoever dismisses his wife causes her to commit adultery. 8nd whoever marries a dismissed woman
commits adultery.
'his te"$hin% !old "%ree !ith the Cord3s st"tements in M"r* 10:11712 "nd C*e 15:16+ "s !ell
"s !ith the %ener"l trend th"t !e h"ve tr"$ed thro%h the 8ld 'est"ment& God instittes m"rri"%e+
"nd m"n $"nnot ndo God3s m"rri"%e bond& N1f one shold m"rr) her !ho h"s been dismissed+N
he t"*es " !om"n !ho still belon%s to someone else "nd ths N$ommits "dlter)&N Frthermore+
the Le!ish $ltre of the first $entr) 4&F& offers "lmost no !") for " divor$ed !om"n to e"rn "
livin%& N9hoever divor$es his !ifeN pts her in " position in !hi$h she mst m"rr) someone
else+ "nd ths N$"ses her to $ommit "dlter)&N
'he forni$"tion $l"se $ompli$"tes thin%s& N9hoever dismisses his !ife+ e2$ept for the $"se
of forni$"tion+ $"ses her to $ommit "dlter)&N 'his s%%ests th"t !hoever dismisses his !ife for
the c"%'e of forni$"tion !ill !ot $"se her to $ommit "dlter)& 9h) notH ,"s forni$"tion
someho! dissolved the m"rri"%e bond+ so th"t she m") rem"rr) !ithot bein% %ilt) of "dlter)H
'he Cord3s se$ond st"tement le"ds s to dobt th"t forni$"tion dissolves m"rri"%e& N9hoever
m"rries her !ho h"s been dismissed $ommits "dlter)&N 'he Cord m"*es no e2$eption to this
st"tement+ not even for forni$"tion& 'he m"n !ho m"rries " divor$ed !om"n $ommits "dlter)+
!hether or not she !"s divor$ed be$"se of forni$"tion& Gven if forni$"tion someho! frees her to
m"rr) " se$ond hsb"nd+ it does not free the se$ond hsb"nd to m"rr) her&
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T"ble 8: The Co!tr"'t' of +"tthe: 8
(urder
!?%"$& Dou have heard that it was said to those
of old, CDou shall not murder, and whoever
murders will be in danger of the :udgment.C
!?%"">"1& (ut ' say to you that whoever is angry with
his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the
:udgment. 5
,dultery
!?%"A& Dou have heard that it was said to those
of old, CDou shall not commit adultery.C
!?%"E>0B& (ut ' say to you that whoever looks at a
woman to lust for her has already committed adultery
with her in his heart. 5
-ivorce
!?%0$& Furthermore it has been said, C9hoever
dismisses his wife, let him give her a divorce.C
!?%0"& (ut ' say to you that whoever dismisses his wife,
e*cept for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit
adultery, and whoever marries a dismissed woman
commits adultery.
*aths
!?%00& 8gain you have heard that it was said to
those of old, CDou shall not swear falsely, but
shall perform your oaths to the 7ord.C
!?%0+>0A& (ut ' say to you not to swear at all, 5
.evenge
!?%0E& Dou have heard that it was said, C8n eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.C
!?%0<>+"& (ut ' say to you not to resist an evil person.
(ut whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the
other to him also. 5
)ove
!?%+0& Dou have heard that it was said, CDou
shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.C
!?%++>+E& (ut ' say to you, C7ove your enemies, 5C
'he re"l p##le "bot the forni$"tion $l"se is th"t it does not "ppl) e="ll) to the !om"n
"nd her se$ond hsb"nd& 1t prevents her from $ommittin% "dlter)+ bt offers him no s$h
prote$tion& 9h) is forni$"tion so nb"l"n$ed in its effe$ts on the !om"n "nd her ftre sitorsH
'o solve this p##le+ !e mst $onsider the $onte2t in !hi$h the Cord presents it& ,e is
disptin% the te"$hin% of the Ph"risees on the sb(e$t of divor$e+ "nd he ses " pl") on !ords to
emph"si#e "n nderl)in% in$onsisten$) in their tho%ht&
C.$ The Lor# ' Correct!, "! Error
'he Cord presents the m"tter of divor$e in M"tthe! 5 "s one of " series of si2 $ontr"stin% p"irs
of st"tements& G"$h p"ir presents "n e"rlier+ erroneos te"$hin%+ "nd %ives the Cord3s $orre$tion
of it& People sometimes s%%est th"t the errors "re otd"ted 8ld 'est"ment te"$hin%s th"t the
Cord is repl"$in% !ith ne! instr$tion& B) srve)in% "ll si2 p"irs "nd $onsiderin% the
introd$tion to the se$tion+ !e $"n see th"t it is Le!ish tr"dition+ not the 8ld 'est"ment+ th"t is in
error&
C.$.1 +"tthe: 8 Offer' S? Co!tr"'t'.
1n '"ble 5+ the $enter $olmn presents the e"rlier error+ "nd the ri%ht7h"nd $olmn offers the
Cord3s $orre$tion& 9e !"nt to identif) the sor$e of the $enter elements in these p"irs&
C.$.$ The So%rce ' Not the Ol# Te't"me!t.
G"$h $ontr"stin% p"ir be%ins !ith " st"tement li*e N>o h"ve he"rd&N Some of these st"tements
in$lde =ot"tions from the 8ld 'est"ment& 4t first %l"n$e+ !e mi%ht thin* th"t the) smm"ri#e
the 8ld 'est"ment C"!+ "nd th"t the Cord3s $omments in N1 s") to )oN m"*e th"t C"! obsolete&
'he Cord is not overrlin% the 8ld 'est"ment+ tho%h+ "s !e $"n see in three !")s: b)
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
$omp"rin% the N>o h"ve he"rdN senten$es !ith the 8ld 'est"ment+ b) re"din% the Cord3s
introd$tion to this se$tion in M"tthe! 5:1:720+ "nd b) notin% ho! he introd$es e"$h s")in%&
1n sever"l $"ses+ the N>o h"ve he"rdN senten$es "$t"ll) devi"te from the 8ld 'est"ment&
For inst"n$e+ M"tthe!5:43 re$ords the "n$ient te"$hin% "s N>o sh"ll love )or nei%hbor "nd
h"te )or enem)&N 8nl) the first $l"se+ N>o sh"ll love )or nei%hbor+N $omes from the 8ld
'est"ment -Cev& 19:16/& 'he se$ond $l"se+ N>o sh"ll h"te )or enem)+N does not& 'he verse
!e "re $onsiderin%+ M"tt& 5:31+ is "nother e2"mple of this devi"tion& Feteronom) 24 does
dis$ss the N$ertifi$"te of divor$e+N bt "s !e s"! in ;h"pter 5 it does not s"n$tion divor$e+ "s
does the st"tement here&
'he introd$tion to the si2 $ontr"sts+ M"tt& 5:1:720+ sho!s even more $le"rl) th"t the N>o
h"ve he"rdN senten$es "re not smm"ries of the 8ld 'est"ment C"!&
,o not think that ' came to destroy the 7aw or the #rophets. ' did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, ' say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, one :ot or one tittle will by no means
pass from the 7aw until all is fulfilled. 9hoever therefore repeals one of the least of these
commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heavenH but whoever does
and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For ' say to you, that unless your
righteousness e*ceeds that of the scribes and #harisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of
heaven.
1n these verses+ the Cord $ondemns "n)one !ho !old repe"l "n) 8ld 'est"ment $omm"nd&
;ert"inl) he !ill not trn "rond "nd immedi"tel) render si2 of them obsolete] Sin$e the Cord
identifies the N)o h"ve he"rdN se$tions "s erroneos+ he mst not me"n them "s smm"ries of
the 8ld 'est"ment&
4 third $onfirm"tion th"t these verses "re not me"nt "s $it"tions from the 8ld 'est"ment lies
in ho! the) "re introd$ed: J>o h"ve he"rd th"t it !"s s"id&K 8r Cord fre=entl) $ites the 8ld
'est"ment -for e2"mple+ to S"t"n in his tempt"tion in the !ilderness+ in M"tt& 4:4+ 5+ :/+ "nd
no!here else does he ever introd$e "n 8ld 'est"ment =ot"tion b) Jit !"s s"id&K 'he term he
ses to indi$"te "n 8ld 'est"ment $it"tion is Jit is !ritten&K
C.$.* The So%rce ' Fr't Ce!t%r2 6e:'h Te"ch!,.
9e $"n infer the sor$e of the N)o h"ve he"rdN se$tions from the l"st verse of the Cord3s
introd$tor) !ords+ M"tt& 5:20&
For ' say to you, that unless your righteousness e*ceeds that of the scribes and #harisees, you will by
no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
,e tells his he"rers th"t Nthe ri%hteosness of the s$ribes "nd Ph"riseesN is in"de="te+ "nd
then sets forth si2 e2"mples of in"de="te te"$hin%&
'he N>o h"ve he"rdN se$tions "re spe$imens of Nthe ri%hteosness of the s$ribes "nd
Ph"risees&N 'hese reli%ios le"ders in$lde the 8ld 'est"ment in their te"$hin%+ so !e he"r
e$hoes of the 8ld 'est"ment in the Cord3s smm"ries of their te"$hin%& Be$"se their te"$hin%
often devi"tes from the intent of the S$riptres+ the N>o h"ve he"rdN se$tions often "lter or "dd
to the !ords of the 8ld 'est"ment& 1n p"rti$l"r+ the Ph"risees believe th"t Feteronom) 24
"thori#es divor$e+ "nd M"tt& 5:31 smm"ri#es their te"$hin%+ not the C"! of Moses&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he $ontr"st !e noted in the l"st se$tion bet!een Jit is s"idK in M"tt& 5 "nd Jit is !rittenK
else!here in the %ospels refle$ts the lon%st"ndin% distin$tion in Ph"ris"i$ Ld"ism bet!een the
or"l l"! "nd the !ritten l"!& 'his tr"dition te"$hes th"t "lon%side the !ritten l"!+ God %"ve
Moses "n or"l l"! th"t !"s not !ritten do!n+ bt p"ssed do!n from one %ener"tion to the ne2t&
'he se of the phr"se Jit !"s s"idK r"ther th"n Jit is !rittenK in M"tt& 5 refers to this or"l
tr"dition& 1n three of the $it"tions+ this instr$tion is s"id to h"ve been %iven Jto those of oldK
-5:21+ 2:+ 33/
1
+ "n "llsion to the deliver) of the tr"dition to the "n$ients+ !ho then p"ssed it o!n
do!n to the s$ribes "nd Ph"risees of the CordAs d")& B) the first $entr)+ the or"l tr"dition h"s
$ome to domin"te the the !ritten te2t& 8r CordAs te"$hin% $"lls the Le!s b"$* to the "thorit) of
!h"t Jis !rittenK over !h"t Jis s"id&K
C.$.5 The Ph"r'ee'& I!ter(ret"to! ' Wro!,.
9hen !e stdied Feteronom) 24 in ;h"pter 5+ !e $omp"red t!o interpret"tions+ the Nthree l"!
interpret"tionN "nd the None l"! interpret"tion&N 4$$ordin% to the three l"! interpret"tion+ the
p"ss"%e "thori#es divor$e& 4$$ordin% to the one l"! interpret"tion+ it does not "thori#e
divor$e+ bt $ontrols restor"tion if someone divor$es "nd rem"rries& 9e %"thered eviden$e to
sho! th"t the one l"! interpret"tion is prefer"ble+ "nd th"t the p"ss"%e does not te"$h divine
re$o%nition of divor$e&
'he Ph"ris"i$ rle th"t the Cord is dis$ssin% is b"sed on the f"lt) three l"! interpret"tion&
9hoever dismisses his wife, let him give her a divorce !;att. ?%0$&.
'he Cord3s response to their position re(e$ts the three l"! interpret"tion otri%ht&
C.* The Lor# A!':er' :th " Pl"2 o! Wor#'
'he Ph"ris"i$ te"$hin% $ited in M"tt& 5:31 is not onl) "n erroneos interpret"tion of Fet& 24:1+
bt "lso " loose p"r"phr"se r"ther th"n " =ot"tion of th"t verse& 'he Cord pl")s on one det"il of
their p"r"phr"se to hi%hli%ht their nderl)in% error&
C.*.1 The Ct"to! ' Loo'e.
'he Ph"risees3 p"r"phr"se of Fet& 24:1 devi"tes from the ori%in"l in "t le"st three !")s&
1& Moses !rote of " N$ertifi$"te of divor$e+N bt the) i%nore the N$ertifi$"teN "nd spe"*
onl) of the Ndivor$e&N
2& ,"vin% dropped the N$ertifi$"te+N the) do not spe"* of !ritin%+ "s does Moses+ bt onl)
of N%ivin% " divor$e&N
3& Moses sed " spe$ifi$ verb for Npt "!")&N 'he Ph"risees se " different verb+
Ndismiss&N
'he third devi"tion is the le"st obvios to s+ sin$e most Gn%lish versions tr"nsl"te both terms "s
Npt "!")N or Ndivor$e+N bt it is $riti$"l in nderst"ndin% the Cord3s response& ,e develops "
!ord pl") !ith the Ph"risees3 term+ " !ord pl") th"t !old be impossible if the) sed Moses3
!ord&
1'he d"tive is m$h more n"tr"ll) nderstood to refer to the re$ipients of the spee$h th"n to the spe"*ers+ "s the
DLE t"*es it&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
9e mst pro$eed !ith $"tion& 9e "re std)in% " re$ord !ritten in Gree*+ of " sermon th"t
m") h"ve been delivered in 4r"m"i$+ $on$ernin% " ,ebre! l"!& ,o! $"n !e me"nin%fll) s")
!hether or not the vo$"bl"r) of M"tthe! 5 $orresponds to the 8ld 'est"ment vo$"bl"r)H
'he 8ld 'est"ment !"s !ritten in ,ebre! "nd 4r"m"i$+ not Gree*+ so stri$tl) spe"*in% no
8ld 'est"ment !ord o$$rs in the @e! 'est"ment& ,o!ever+ the Le!s of the first $entr) 4&F&
h"d Gree* tr"nsl"tions of the ,ebre! 8ld 'est"ment+ (st "s !e h"ve Gn%lish tr"nsl"tions of the
,ebre! "nd Gree* Bible& 'he Gree* versions of the 8ld 'est"ment sho! s the $ommonl)
"$$epted Gree* e=iv"lents for the ,ebre! !ords for divor$e& 9hether the Gree* terms th"t !e
"re $onsiderin% ori%in"ted !ith the Cord or !ith " l"ter tr"nsl"tor+ or "r%ment "ssmes th"t the
!idespre"d se of Gree* tr"nsl"tions of the 8ld 'est"ment inflen$ed the sele$tion of those
terms&
1n Fet& 24:174+ Moses ses three ,ebre! phr"ses to des$ribe the sep"r"tion of m"n "nd
!ife& 'he Gn%lish tr"nsl"tions of these phr"ses "re N$ertifi$"te of divor$e+N Nsend her otN
-else!here fre=entl) tr"nsl"ted Npt her "!")N/+ "nd Nshe is dep"rted&N 9henever the 8ld
'est"ment des$ribes divor$e+ it "l!")s ses one or more of these e2pressions& '"ble 5 sho!s the
Gn%lish e2pressions+ the ,ebre! e2pressions+ "nd the Gree* terms sed to tr"nsl"te them in the
Gree* 8ld 'est"ment&
9hen the Ph"risees tell " m"n to %ive his !ife " Ndivor$e+N the) se " !ord !hose Gree*
e=iv"lent is UhijkUjlim& -'he) themselves m") h"ve sed either the Gree* !ord or "n 4r"m"i$
term of !hi$h this !ord is the tr"nsl"tion&/ From the t"ble+ !e see th"t this is h"lf of the Gree*
tr"nsl"tion of the ,ebre! e2pression N$ertifi$"te of divor$e&N Gven tho%h the !ord is Gree*
r"ther th"n ,ebre!+ !e $"n f"irl) s") th"t it is "n 8ld 'est"ment !ord+ sin$e it $orresponds to
the ,ebre! !ord thro%h the Gree* 8ld 'est"ment&
9hen the Ph"risees des$ribe " m"n3s Npttin% "!")N his !ife+ the) do not se "n) of the
!ords in the t"ble "bove& 1nste"d+ the) introd$e " !ord !hose Gree* e=iv"lent is UhinoX
Ndismiss&N 'his verb is " $ommon !ord for Ndivor$eN in Gree* of the first $entr) 4&F&+ bt it is
never sed in the Gree* 8ld 'est"ment to spe"* of m"rit"l sep"r"tion&
1n itself+ sin% " se$l"r !ord for Ndivor$eN r"ther th"n " bibli$"l !ord is not !ron%& 9hen
P"l dis$sses divor$e in 1 ;orinthi"ns :+ he ses the !ords UplqVl "nd [irlsX+ neither of !hi$h
is "n 8ld 'est"ment !ord for Ndivor$e&N Bt the Ph"risees "re not (st dis$ssin% divor$e& 'he)
"re $itin% Feteronom) 24& Be$"se the) sbstitte " ne! !ord in "n old p"ss"%e+ th"t !ord
"ttr"$ts the Cord3s "ttention& NSo )o Ph"risees !"nt to t"l* "bot 3dismissin%3 " !ifeHN he mi%ht
s")& N'hen let me tell )o !h"t the C"! s")s "bot 3dismissin%&3N 8n$e !e re"li#e th"t he is
pl")in% !ith their ne! !ord+ !e $"n nderst"nd his "ns!er in " ne! !")&
C.*.$ Some +e"!!,' of <D'm''<
S$hol"rs !ho tr) to e2pl"in the p##le of M"tt& 5:32 s"ll) $on$entr"te their "ttention on the
forni$"tion $l"se& 1nste"d+ !e std) UhinoX Ndismiss+N the Gree* $onterp"rt of the str"n%e
!ord for Ndivor$eN th"t the Ph"risees introd$e "nd th"t the Cord pi$*s p in "ns!erin% them& 1t
never me"ns Ndivor$eN in the Gree* 8ld 'est"ment+ bt does h"ve t!o me"nin%s of interest to s&
'he liter"l me"nin% of UhinoX is Ndismiss&N 'his me"nin% "ppe"rs+ for e2"mple+ in the title to
Ps"lm 34 -Ps& 33:1 in the Sept"%int/:
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
8 #salm of ,avid, when he changed his behavior before 8bimelech, who drove him away ICdismissed
himCJ, and he departed.
'he title "lldes to the episode re$orded in 1 S"m& 21:10722:1& F"vid+ fleein% from S"l+ see*s
ref%e !ith 4$hish+ *in% of the Philistines& -'he !ord N4bimele$hN in the title of the Ps"lm is
not " n"me+ bt " title+ (st "s NPh"r"ohN is the title of the *in%s of G%)pt&/ 'he men of 4$hish
re$o%ni#e F"vid "s "n enem)& 'o es$"pe+ F"vid pretends th"t he is ins"ne+ "nd 4$hish+ in
dis%st+ sends him "!")& 'he title to the ps"lm des$ribes this sendin% "!") !ith Ndismiss&N
1t is e"s) to see ho! NdismissN $omes to des$ribe divor$e+ !here " m"n NdismissesN " !om"n
from his hosehold& 'he !ord develops this me"nin% b) @e! 'est"ment times+ bt the 8ld
'est"ment never ses it in this sense&
'he other 8ld 'est"ment me"nin% of NdismissN of interest to s "ppe"rs in Gen& 15:2& 8r
tr"nsl"tion here follo!s the Sept"%int+ !hi$h differs sli%htl) from the ,ebre!&
T"ble @: -blc"l Term' for D1orce
'nglish Hebrew reek
certificate of divorce sepher keritut biblion apostasion
send out, put away shillac apostellein, exapostellein
depart yatsa', hotsi' exerchomai, aperchomai, ekballo, ekfero
8nd 8bram said, C7ord God, what will you give meG For ' am dismissed childless, and the son of
;asek of those born in my house is this ElieFer of ,amascus.C
4br"m is s")in%+ N1 "m %oin% to die !ithot "n) $hildren+ "nd "$$ordin% to $stom+ one of the
$hildren of m) sl"ves !ill be m) heir&N 'he te2t ses the verb Nto be dismissedN "s " ephemism
for de"th&
4nother e2"mple is @m& 20:26729 -"%"in tr"nsl"ted from the Sept"%int/+
8nd 8aron died upon the top of the mount. \ 8nd all the congregation saw that 8aron was
dismissed , and all the house of 'srael mourned 8aron thirty days.
God tells Moses "nd 4"ron th"t 4"ron3s time h"s $ome to die& 'he) "s$end Mont ,or+ !here
4"ron e2pires& 4%"in+ Nto be dismissedN me"ns Nto die&N
So the !ord NdismissN $"n me"n Ndismiss from life&N 1t is sed this !") in the @e!
'est"ment& C*e3s %ospel re$ords ho! the "%ed Simeon %reets the inf"nt Less in the temple& God
promised Simeon th"t he !old not die ntil he s"! the Messi"h+ "nd no! the promise is
flfilled& So Simeon pr")s+
/ow dismiss your servant, 7ord, according to your word, in peace. For my eyes have seen your
salvation !7uke "%"<>0B&.
Simeon *no!s th"t his time h"s $ome& 9ith the !ords+ NFismiss )or serv"nt+N he invites the
Cord to t"*e him&
'he notes $ont"in frther e2"mples of this se of "polo from p"%"n Gree* !riters&
C.*.* The A!':er to the P%44le
9e no! *no! t!o import"nt f"$ts "bot "polo Ndismiss&N
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1& 1t is sed in the @e! 'est"ment+ bt never in the 8ld 'est"ment+ to des$ribe m"rit"l
sep"r"tion& 'hs it "ttr"$ts the Cord3s "ttention !hen the Ph"risees se it to p"r"phr"se
the Mos"i$ C"! on divor$e&
2& 1n both 'est"ments+ it $"n me"n Ndismiss from life&N
1f !e *eep these t!o me"nin%s in mind "s !e re"d M"tt& 5:32+ the p##le "bot forni$"tion
be$omes m$h $le"rer& 9e $"n no! nderst"nd ho! forni$"tion prevents " dismissed !ife from
$ommittin% "dlter)&
9hoever dismisses his wife, e*cept for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery.
'here "re t!o !")s in !hi$h " m"n m") NdismissN his !ife& ,e m") Ndivor$eN her+ pttin% her
ot of his hose& 1n this $"se he $"ses her to $ommit "dlter)+ for she !ill be !ithot spport
nless she rem"rries& Bt if she is %ilt) of forni$"tion+ he h"s "nother option& Feteronom) 22
s")s th"t " m"rried !om"n !ho $ommits forni$"tion shold be stoned to de"th& -.e$"ll or std)
in ;h"pter 4/ 1f she is %ilt) of forni$"tion+ he m") NdismissN her from life b) h"vin% her tried
"nd stoned& 1n this $"se he does not $"se her to $ommit "dlter)+ for she is de"d "nd so $"nnot
rem"rr)&
'he l"! of Feteronom) 22 pres$ribes stonin% not onl) for "dlter) -nf"ithflness "fter
betroth"l or m"rri"%e/+ bt "lso for n$le"nness before m"rri"%e th"t is $on$e"led from the
bride%room& 'he !ord Nforni$"tionN $overs both of these $"ses+ "nd so the Cord ses it in his
instr$tion&
'he se$ond p"rt of the Cord3s te"$hin% is "lso $le"r&
8nd whoever marries a dismissed woman commits adultery.
.em"rri"%e is possible onl) !hen the !om"n is NdismissedN in s$h " !") "s to le"ve her "live&
9henever the !om"n srvives her Ndismiss"l+N rem"rri"%e is "dlter)+ both for her "nd for her
ne! spose& 9hen " !om"n is NdismissedN b) stonin% be$"se of forni$"tion+ tho%h+ the
=estion of rem"rri"%e does not "rise&
'he Cord ths re(e$ts the Ph"risees3 notion th"t God s"n$tions divor$e& Fivor$e "nd
rem"rri"%e is "dlter)& B) introd$in% the $"se of forni$"tion+ !ith its "sso$i"ted pen"lt) of
stonin%+ he emph"si#es th"t onl) de"th $"n bre"* the m"rri"%e bond& ,is "ns!er refle$ts not onl)
the 8ld 'est"ment notion th"t Nthe Cord h"tes divor$eN -M"l& 2:15/+ bt "lso the l"! th"t
$ondemns impre !ives to de"th -Feteronom) 22/&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t is p##lin% "bot the forni$"tion $l"se in M"tt& 5:32H
2& 9h"t "re the t!o p"rts of e"$h $ontr"st in M"tt& 5:21746H
3& 9hi$h p"rt of e"$h $ontr"st "mplifies M"tt& 5:1:719H
4& 9hi$h p"rt of e"$h $ontr"st "mplifies M"tt& 5:20H
5& 9h"t is the sor$e of M"tt& 5:31H
5& 9h"t is the rel"tionship of M"tt& 5:32 to the 8ld 'est"mentH
:& 9here do the Ph"risees %et their !ord for Ndivor$eNH
6& 9h"t "re t!o possible me"nin%s of NdismissN in the time of ;hristH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
9& ,o! does the "mbi%it) in the me"nin% of NdismissN help resolve the p##le "bot the
forni$"tion $l"seH
NOTES
C.5 F%rther E1#e!ce for FDe("rtG M FDeG
'he "ssertion th"t UhinoX Ndep"rtN $"n des$ribe de"th is $entr"l to the interpret"tion of the
forni$"tion $l"se "dv"n$ed in this $h"pter& 1n "ddition to the bibli$"l e2"mples dis$ssed "bove+
sever"l p"ss"%es in se$l"r Gree* $le"rl) sho! this s"%e for UhinoX "nd its $o%n"tes&
1n Sopho$les3 pl") Antigone+ !ritten in the fifth $entr) before ;hrist+ ;reon the *in%
stbbornl) drives his son ,"emon to si$ide+ "nd then l"ments over him+
4l"s+ "l"s&
>o h"ve diedP you have departed+
B) m) foll)+ not )or o!n -125:71259/&
'he it"li$i#ed !ords tr"nsl"te the "orist p"ssive indi$"tive of UhinoX. 4 fe! lines l"ter+ ;reon
le"rns th"t his =een h"s "lso died+ "nd "s*s for det"ils in the !ords+
,o! then did she depart? -1314/
'his time+ the verb "ppe"rs in the "orist middle&
'he other $l"ssi$"l e2"mples of this s"%e $ome from the forth $entr) before ;hrist+ "nd
"ll involve the non Uhinojlt Ndep"rtre+ !hi$h is " $lose deriv"tive of UhinoX+ the verb th"t
!e "re std)in%&
Fio%enes C"ertis+ in his bio%r"ph) of the philosopher C)$o+ in$ldes " $op) of this
philosopher3s !ill& C)$o stipl"tes th"t+ N"fter m) departure+N one of his brothers shold
dispose of oil from his olive trees in " $ert"in !") -5&:1/& 'he non Uhinojlt is here sed
in " le%"l do$ment to spe$if) de$e"se&
'he n"tr"list 'heophr"sts des$ribes " poison+ $omponded of hemlo$*+ popp)+ "nd
other herbs+ th"t Nprod$es "n e"s) "nd p"inless departureN -Enquiry into Plants+ 9&15&6/&
4ristotle+ in dis$ssin% the n"tre of de"th+ $l"ims th"t Nde"th in old "%e is p"inless& \
'he departure of the sol h"ppens tterl) !ithot sens"tionN -n !espiration+ 4:9"&22/&
'"ble : smm"ri#es these e2"mples "nd those from the Bible&
T"ble D: Cl"''c"l "!# -blc"l I!'t"!ce' of a/polu0w "!# Co,!"te'
<ife of <yco *.71 FGHIJKLM
5n#uiry into 6lants +.1A.9 FGHIJKLM
8n ?espiration 47+a.22 FGHIJKLM
(ntigone 12A9 FGHIJN aor. pass. ind.
(ntigone 1!14 FGHIJN aor. mid. ind.
:en 1*&2 FGHIJN pres. mid.Opass. ind.
,um 2/&2+ FGHIJN aor. pass. ind.
<uke 2&2+ FGHIJN pres. act. ind.
)att *&!2. 1+&+ FGHIJN aor. act. subP.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he first three e2"mples "re inst"n$es of the verb"l non Uhinojlt Ndep"rtreN in the sense of
Nde"th&N 'he ne2t for+ in$ldin% t!o from p"%"n "thors "nd t!o from the Sept"%int+ se the
middle or p"ssive voi$e of the verb to des$ribe the de"th of the sb(e$t of the verb&'he l"st t!o
se the "$tive voi$e to des$ribe the de"th of the ob(e$t of the verb&
C.8 Other E?(l"!"to!' of the For!c"to! Cl"%'e
Seven m"(or vie!s of the forni$"tion $l"se h"ve been proposed&
2
'he m"in differen$es "mon%
the vie!s "re in the interpret"tion of the !ord Jforni$"tionK
3
"nd the s$ope of the e2$eption
$l"se -!hether it "thori#es onl) divor$e+ divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e+ or somethin% "lto%ether
different/& 'he vie!s "%ree !ith one "nother+ "nd differ !ith m) interpret"tion+ in nderst"ndin%
the Jpttin% "!")K "s " le%"l sep"r"tion th"t le"ves both people "live&
C.8.1 The +e"!!, of FFor!c"to!G
'he e2$eption "ssmes th"t one p"rt) in the m"rri"%e is %ilt) of somethin% $"lled Jforni$"tion&K
9h"t does this term des$ribeH ,o! does it differ from other *inds of se2"l $ond$t $ondemned
b) the Bible+ s$h "s in$est+ prostittion+ "dlter)+ or homose2"l beh"viorH 9e "re p"rti$l"rl)
interested in its rel"tionship to "dlter)+ !hi$h des$ribes " rel"tion bet!een " m"rried person "nd
someone other th"n the other member of th"t m"rri"%e&
'o nderst"nd the different "ns!ers to this =estion+ !e need to nderst"nd some distin$tions
th"t "re sed in std)in% me"nin% in l"n%"%e& 9hen t!o different !ords des$ribe rel"ted
$on$epts+ the) $"n be rel"ted in different !")s& 9e $"n illstr"te these different rel"tionships
4
b)
$omp"rin% the !ord Jdo%K !ith the !ords J$"t+K Jm"mm"l+K "nd Jpet&K
JFo%K "nd J$"tK "re mt"ll) e2$lsive& 1f somethin% is " do%+ it $"nnot be " $"t+ "nd
vice versa&
2 1 follo! the $onvenient smm"r) in ,eth 1962:101710:& For the five m"(or v"ri"nts+ see Steele "nd .)rie 1963:657
96& ,eth "nd 9enh"m 1964 offer " more thoro%h dis$ssion+ "nd referen$es&
3 hirmWlU
4 9e "re dis$ssin% !h"t " lin%ist $"lls the e2tension"l me"nin% of " non+ th"t is+ the set of thin%s to !hi$h it
"pplies& 'he std) of me"nin% "lso in$ldes intension"l me"nin%+ !hi$h is defined b) the $on$ept to !hi$h " !ord
refers& For or prposes+ !e need onl) $onsider e2tension"l me"nin%&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
F,%re 1: Rel"to!'h(' "mo!,
!o%!'
1n $ontr"st+ Jm"mm"lK "nd Jdo%K "re not mt"ll) e2$lsive& Gver) do% is "lso "
m"mm"l+ "s is ever) $"t& ,o!ever+ not ever) m"mm"l is " do% or " $"t& Some m"mm"ls
"re s=irrels+ ferrets+ or !h"les&
'he rel"tion bet!een JpetK "nd Jdo%K is of )et "nother *ind& Some do%s "re pets+ bt
others -!ild do%s/ "re not pets& Simil"rl)+ some pets "re do%s+ bt some "re $"ts+ "nd
some -%oldfish+ for e2"mple/ "ren3t even m"mm"ls "t "ll&
Sometimes it is helpfl to represent rel"tionships li*e these !ith " pi$tre+ "s in Fi%re 1+
te$hni$"ll) $"lled " Eenn di"%r"m& 1m"%ine th"t "ll the ob(e$ts !e !"nt to des$ribe "re spre"d
ot on the t"ble+ "nd !e dr"! lines "rond those to !hi$h " %iven n"me "pplies& 'he three *inds
of rel"tions !e h"ve des$ribed $orrespond to three different *inds of rel"tions bet!een n"med
"re"s& 'he "re"s $ont"inin% do%s "nd $"ts do not interse$t "t "ll& 'he Jdo%sK "re" f"lls $ompletel)
!ithin the Jm"mm"lsK "re"& 'he Jdo%sK "nd JpetsK "re"s p"rti"ll) overl"p+ "nd "re p"rti"ll)
independent& 1t is $stom"r) in s$h di"%r"ms to indi$"te the over"ll set of items -here
J"nim"lsK/ th"t the sm"ller $rves distin%ish&
@o! !e $"n be more pre$ise in dis$ssin% the me"nin% of Jforni$"tion&K Cet3s spre"d ot "ll
possible inst"n$es of se2"l sin on the t"ble "nd dr"! lines "rond them $orrespondin% to their
n"mes+ (st "s !e did for "nim"ls in Fi%re 1& Fi%re 2 sho!s t!o "ltern"tive rel"tions th"t h"ve
been proposed bet!een Jforni$"tionK "nd J"dlter)&K
Fi%re 2" nderst"nds forni$"tion "nd "dlter) to be t!o distin$t *inds of se2"l sin&
'he s"l $ontr"st $onsistent !ith Fi%re 2" is th"t forni$"tion is bet!een people !ho "re not
m"rried+ !hile "dlter) re=ires th"t one of the people in the sinfl nion be m"rried -to
somebod) other th"n their p"rtner in sin/& 'his distin$tion is invo*ed b) people !ho nderst"nd
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
F,%re $: Alter!"t1e rel"to!' bet:ee!
Ffor!c"to!G "!# F"#%lter2G
'or!icatio! Adultery
Si!
'or!icatio!
Adultery
Si!
a
b
the e2$eption $l"se to de"l !ith " !om"n !ho is fond not to be " vir%in on her m"rri"%e ni%ht+
"s envisioned in Fet 22:13+ 14& 'hose !ho nderst"nd Jforni$"tionK in this !") s") th"t the
Cord "llo!s " hsb"nd to "nnl s$h " m"rri"%e& 1t rests on " de$eption+ "nd so is not le%"ll)
v"lid& 'hs nderstood+ the $l"se does not (stif) divor$e&
4nother $ontr"st th"t h"s been proposed is th"t Jforni$"tionK refers to in$est+ spe$ifi$"ll)+ the
de%rees of m"rri"%e forbidden in Ceviti$s 16& 'his position is s"ll) b"sed on the rle t"*en b)
the $onferen$e in Lers"lem in 4$ts 15:20+ in !hi$h Gentiles !ere r%ed to J"bst"in from \
forni$"tionK in order not to offend Le!s nne$ess"ril)& 4%"in+ the Cord3s !ords "re nderstood to
"thori#e "nnlment of "n ille%"l m"rri"%e+ not the dissolvin% of " le%itim"te one&
'hese s%%estions nderst"nd the !ord to refer to spe$ifi$"ll) Le!ish le%isl"tion+ "nd so
e2pl"in !h) onl) M"tthe!+ the most distin$tl) Le!ish of the Gospels+ in$ldes the e2$eptive
$l"se& ,o!ever+ this interpret"tion re=ires M"tthe!3s re"ders to nderst"nd Jforni$"tionK "s "
te$hni$"l term for spe$ifi$ se2"l sins&
8ther interpret"tions follo! Fi%re 2b+ !hi$h nderst"nds Jforni$"tionK to be " more %ener"l
term for se2"l sin+ "nd J"dlter)K to be " spe$ifi$ *ind of sin+ in !hi$h one p"rtner is m"rried to
somebod) other th"n their p"rtner in sin& Some interpreters thin* the Cord is referrin% to the
Jm"tter of n$le"nnessK des$ribed in Fet 24:1+ " referen$e th"t !e sh"ll dis$ss in more det"il
in ;h"pter 4& 1n this $"se+ Jforni$"tionK is (st " %ener"l desi%n"tion for "n) se2"l sin& 'his
interpret"tion lies behind the tr"dition"l position "s !ell& B"sed on the e2$eption for fornication+
the 9estminster ;onfession "thori#es sep"r"tion for adultery& 'his re"sonin% m"*es sense onl)
if "dlter) is " form of forni$"tion& ;riosl)+ tho%h+ the ;onfession3s ver) !ordin% s%%ests
th"t forni$"tion $"n t"*e pl"$e onl) before m"rri"%e+ !hile "dlter) re=ires one member of the
sinnin% $ople to be m"rried&
'he bibli$"l se of the !ord Jforni$"tionK is de$idedl) in f"vor of Fi%re 2b& 'he nderl)in%
Gree* !ord "nd its rel"tives
5
"re sed in the Bible to des$ribe " !ide r"n%e of illi$it beh"viors&
1t is the most $ommon f"mil) in the CII to des$ribe prostittion& 1t renders t!o ,ebre!
!ords+ " $ommon one
5
+ "nd " r"rer one+ the feminine form of the "d(e$tive Jhol)+K
:
refle$tin% the
f"$t th"t rit"l prostittion !"s " $ommon p"rt of the p"%"n reli%ions of ;"n""n& Both ,ebre!
!ords "ppe"r in ,os 4:14+ "nd the stor) of Ld"h "nd '"m"r ses both the $ommon se$l"r !ord
-Gen 36:15/ "nd the reli%ios one -Gen 36:21722/& ;le"rl)+ the sin of prostittion does not "ppl)
onl) to nm"rried people+ or onl) to in$estos rel"tions& 1t is " vehi$le for "n) form of
ille%itim"te nion&
B"sed on the se of the !ord f"mil) to des$ribe prostittion+ some mi%ht s%%est th"t the
Bible $ondemns onl) $ommer$i"l imprit)+ not rel"tions b"sed on love bet!een people !ho "re
not m"rried to one "nother& 'his distin$tion is "lso not spported b) the d"t"& 4 $ommon
met"phor in the 8ld 'est"ment presents the n"tion 1sr"el "s the !ife of the Cord+ "nd $ondemns
her idol"tr) "s spirit"l forni$"tion& G#e* 15:25+ 29 ses this f"mil) of !ords of the n"tion+ even
!hile notin% th"t she did not $h"r%e for her servi$es+ vv& 31734&
5 'he non hirmq Jh"rlot+K the "d(e$tive hirmluit Jpert"inin% to " h"rlot+K "nd the verbs hirmWoX "nd WuhirmWoX
J$ommit forni$"tion+ pl") the h"rlotK
5 'he root Qcv "nd its deriv"tives
: Qw`x
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
4s Fi%re 2b s%%ests+ forni$"tion $"n be sed of "n nm"rried person+ to !hom J"dlter)K
is not "ppli$"ble& 4 %ood e2"mple is ,os 4:14+
' will not punish your daughters when they commit fornication,
nor your daughters in law when they commit adultery
,ose"+ li*e m"n) of the prophets+ presents his or"$les in poeti$ form& 'he b"si$ form of
,ebre! poetr) $onsists of p"ired lines th"t se different terms !ith $losel) rel"ted me"nin%s&
,ere ,ose" p"irs Jd"%hterK !ith Jd"%hter in l"!+K "nd Jforni$"tionK !ith J"dlter)&K 1t
$ert"inl) is "ppropri"te for him to "$$se " -vir%in/ d"%hter of forni$"tion "nd " -m"rried/
d"%hter in l"! of "dlter)+ bt his s"%e does not "r%e for Fi%re 2"& 'he distin$tion of Fi%re
2b fits (st "s !ell+ "nd the rles of ,ebre! poetr) re=ire th"t he se " different bt rel"ted !ord
in the se$ond line&
G#e*iel 15 sho!s th"t "dlter) is " spe$ifi$ *ind of forni$"tion+ not distin$t from it& 'he
$h"pter fre=entl) ses the Jforni$"tionK f"mil) of !ords to des$ribe Ld"h3s idol"tr)+ "ll the
!hile $h"r"$teri#in% her "s the !ife of the Cord& 1n f"$t+ "fter repe"ted des$riptions of her sin "s
forni$"tion+ 15:32 des$ribes her "s J" !ife th"t $ommits "dlter)&K
Forni$"tion $"n be sed even more bro"dl)& Lde : ses the term to des$ribe the
$h"r"$teristi$ sin of Sodom "nd Gomorr"h+ !hi$h "$$ordin% to the re$ord in Genesis 19 !"s
homose2"l r"pe& 'he F"m"s$s do$ment+ " ,ebre! te2t sed "t Bmr"n "rond the first
$entr)+ ses " $ommon ,ebre! e=iv"lent
6
of the Cord3s !ord for forni$"tion to des$ribe
pol)%"m)+ "nd perh"ps in$est "nd other se2"l imprit)&
9
;le"rl)+ Jforni$"tionK is " %ener"l !ord for "n) *ind of se2"l sin& 4dlter)+ homose2"lit)+
pol)%"m)+ "nd in$est+ "s !ell "s prem"rit"l rel"tions+ "re "ll $"lled Jforni$"tionK in the Bible "nd
other Le!ish liter"tre of the first $entr)& Given this bro"d s"%e+ or Cord3s !ords !old be
ver) misle"din% if he intended to "llo! divor$e onl) in " spe$ifi$ te$hni$"l sit"tion s$h "s
in$est or imprit) before m"rri"%e& ,e $hose the bro"dest term possible+ "nd did not e2pl"in it in
"n) !")& 'he bro"d s$ope of Jforni$"tionK me"ns th"t his !ords "thori#e pttin% "!") for "n)
se2"l imprit)& 9e $"nnot ev"de their for$e -or the p"r"do2es the) introd$e/ b) tr)in% to
restri$t the me"nin% of Jforni$"tion&K 'he !ord is " ver) %ener"l one+ "ppli$"ble to " !ide r"n%e
of l"pses of prit)& ;ert"inl)+ it includes in$est "nd prem"rit"l d"lli"n$es+ bt it $"n h"rdl) be
restricted to these senses+ "s the e2pl"n"tions b"sed on Fi%re 2" s%%est&
'he bro"d s$ope of Jforni$"tionK is the me"nin% nderstood thro%hot the .om"n !orld&
'h"t $ltre re$o%ni#es s$h $ond$t "s %ronds for divor$e+ "nd !old nderst"nd M"tthe!3s
re$ord of the Cord3s te"$hin% to endorse divor$e in s$h $"ses& 4s !e h"ve seen+ s$h "n
interpret"tion le"ds to in$onsisten$ies+ both !ithin M"tthe!+ "nd bet!een M"tthe! "nd the other
S)nopti$s&
So !e see th"t "ttempts to e2pl"in the e2$eption $l"se b) restri$tin% the me"nin% of
Jforni$"tionK f"il& Perh"ps "ttempts b"sed on the s)nt"2 of the verses !ill be more s$$essfl&
6 yfcv+ !hi$h is the ,ebre! ori%in"l behind nine of the inst"n$es of hirmWlU in the CII&
9 ;F 4&20 $le"rl) lin*s the !ord to pol)%"m)& Fit#m)er -M"tthe"n Fivor$e 'e2ts+ 2207221/ nderst"nds the s$ope
of the s")in% to e2tend to 5&5710+ !hi$h refer to l)in% !ith " !om"n drin% her period "nd in$estos rel"tions "s
!ell& 'he e2tension is rhetori$"ll) =estion"ble+ sin$e the te2t %oes on to dis$ss non7se2"l sins s$h "s impios
spee$h -5&11712/+ bt the bro"d s$ope of yfcv !old $ert"inl) m"*e the "llsion possible in the mind of the !riter&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
C.8.$ The Sco(e of the Cl"%'e
'he e2$eption $l"se des$ribes $onditions nder !hi$h some other st"tement does not "ppl)& B)
the Js$opeK of the e2$eption $l"se+ !e me"n the set of other st"tements th"t it ="lifies+ th"t is+
the set of st"tements th"t do not "ppl) !hen the e2$eption is s"tisfied& 8pinions differ "s to (st
!hi$h other st"tements f"ll !ithin its s$ope&
Cet3s be%in b) revie!in% ho! e2$eption $l"ses "re sed else!here in the Gree* Bible&
First+ "n e2$eption $"n $ome either before or "fter the $l"ses to !hi$h it %ives "n e2$eption&
4n e2"mple of "n e2$eption th"t pre$edes its s$ope is 1 ;or 14:9:
3nless you utter a clear word,
how will it be known what is saidG
4n e2$eption th"t follo!s its s$ope is 4$ts 25:29+
10
' pray to God that, sooner or later,
not only you but all those who hear me today might become such as ' am,
e*cept for these chains.
Se$ond+ "n e2$eption is never sep"r"ted from its s$ope b) " $on(n$tion -J"ndK or JbtK/&
'hird+ e2$eptions "tt"$hed to $ondition"l st"tements -"s in the t!o verses !e "re $onsiderin%
in M"tthe!/ "re ver) r"re+ prob"bl) be$"se the e2$eption in itself "monts to " $ondition+ "nd
pl"$in% one $ondition on "nother is bond to be $onfsin%& 1 h"ve onl) fond " fe! e2"mples in
the Gree* Bible&
if ' come unto you speaking with tongues,
what shall ' profit you,
unless ' shall speak to you either
by revelation,
or by knowledge,
or by prophecy,
or by teachingG $ .or $+%1
8lso, if someone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned, unless he competes lawfully. " Tim "%?
1n both these $"ses+ the e2$eption follo!s the entire $ondition"l senten$e&
10 'his e2"mple ses the n$ommon e2$eptive !ord hUrWukit th"t "ppe"rs in M"tt 5:32&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
F,%re *: The Sco(e of the E?ce(to! Cl"%'e
Matt 5:32 Matt 19:9
I say to you I say to you
a
Whoever dismisses
his wife,
Whoever dismisses
his wife
b
e1cept for the cause
of fornication,
e1cept for fornication
and marries another
d
causes her to commit
adultery
commits adultery
e
and whoever marries
a dismissed woman
and he who marries
a dismissed woman
! commits adultery commits adultery
1
2
3
"
5
@o!+ let3s $onsider !here the e2$eption $l"ses f"ll in or verses in M"tthe!& Fi%re 3
enmer"tes the $l"ses+ "nd sho!s v"rios s%%estions for the s$ope of the e2$eption $l"se&
Both of M"tthe!3s $it"tions $onsist of t!o Jif7thenK senten$es& 1n both $"ses+ $l"ses " "nd d
form the first senten$e+ "nd e "nd f form the se$ond& ;l"se $ is p"rt of the first JifK in 19:9& For
e2"mple+ in 5:32+ the first senten$e mi%ht be p"r"phr"sed+ Jif someone dismisses his !ifeK -"/+
Jthen he $"ses her to $ommit "dlter)K -d/&
'he e2$eption $l"se -b/ $omes immedi"tel) "fter the first JifK -"/ in both $"ses& 1n 5:32+ it
"lso $omes immedi"tel) before the first JthenK -d/+ bt in 19:9 it is sep"r"ted from the first
JthenK b) the e2tension of the JifK in $& Sin$e the e2$eption $l"se $"nnot be sep"r"ted from its
s$ope b) " $on(n$tion+ in 19:9 its most n"tr"l s$ope is "s sho!n b) the br"$*et l"beled 1+ "nd
this s$ope is $onsistent !ith 5:32 "s !ell&
B"sed on the s"%e of e2$eption $l"ses in the Gree* Bible+ this vie! of the s$ope of the
e2$eption is the most n"tr"l& 'he $l"se "pplies onl) to the JifK p"rt of the first st"tement&
Forni$"tion permits the hsb"nd to dismiss his !ife+ bt in "n) $"se she $ommits "dlter) if she
rem"rries& 'he %r"mm"r is str"i%htfor!"rd+ bt the me"nin% is $onfsin%+ ;onsider 5:32&
' say to you, M9hoever dismisses his wife, e*cept for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit
adultery, and whoever marries a dismissed woman commits adultery.N
'he first hsb"nd J$"ses her to $ommit "dlter)K b) le"vin% her !ithot spport+ so th"t she
mst m"rr) someone else if she is to srvive+ "nd this dilemm" is the re"son th"t the Cord %ives
in this verse for not divor$in%& 'he e2$eption $l"se $"n (stif) divor$e onl) if it $"n remove the
d"n%er of "dlter)+ )et the position of the e2$eption me"ns th"t it $overs the divor$e !ithot the
rem"rri"%e&
?nder s$ope z2+ forni$"tion "thori#es divor$e "nd the rem"rri"%e of the first hsb"nd+ bt
not of his !ife& 'his sit"tion is p##lin%& ,e $"n rem"rr) !ithot $ommittin% "dlter) onl) if
the m"rri"%e is dissolved& >et then she o%ht to be "ble to rem"rr) "s !ell& Gr"mm"ti$"ll)+ s$ope
z2 is ns"l& 1f the Cord intended it+ he !old h"ve pt the e2$eption $l"se "fter $l"se $&
S$ope z3 "llo!s her to rem"rr) "s !ell+ bt le"ds to the eni%m" th"t her ne! hsb"nd
-$l"ses e "nd f/ $ommits "dlter) b) m"rr)in% her] 4%"in+ the %r"mm"r is ns"l& B"sed on the
e2"mples of 1 ;or 14:5 "nd 2 'im 2:5+ !e e2pe$t "n e2$eption %overnin% "n entire if7then
senten$e to follo! the entire senten$e&
S$ope z4 h"s been s%%ested to "void these sem"nti$ in$onsisten$ies& 1t nderst"nds the
e2$eption to (stif) both the divor$e "nd "ll sbse=ent rem"rri"%es& 'his is the vie! promoted
b) Gr"sms& ,o!ever+ %r"mm"ti$"ll)+ it is the most ns"l& 'he $le"rest !") to provide "n
e2$eption to both if7then senten$es !old be to repe"t the e2$eption $l"se "t the end of e"$h
senten$e&
S$ope z5 e2tends the e2$eption to the hi%h7level st"tement+ J1 s") to )o&K 8n this vie!+ the
Cord refses to dis$ss the $"se of forni$"tion "t "ll& ,e intends no e2$eption to the prin$iples
l"id do!n in M"r* "nd C*e& 9e mi%ht p"r"phr"se+ J>or s$ribes deb"te the imp"$t of
forni$"tion on m"rri"%e& Cet3s le"ve th"t =estion "side for no!& 9hoever dismisses his !ife
$"ses her to $ommit "dlter)+ "nd !hoever m"rries " dismissed !om"n $ommits "dlter)&K
8n$e more+ the %r"mm"r is ns"l& 1f the Cord me"nt to provide "n e2$eption to the entire
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
st"tement+ one !old e2pe$t the e2$eption to be "sso$i"ted !ith the introd$tion+ ths: JG2$ept
for forni$"tion+ 1 s") to )o+ &&&K
4s the e2$eption $l"se is $ommonl) nderstood+ onl) s$opes z4 "nd z5 "void the lo%i$"l
$ontr"di$tion of "llo!in% one divor$ed spose to rem"rr)+ bt $ondemnin% the other -or the
other3s ne! spose/ of "dlter)& ,o!ever+ the onl) s$ope th"t is $onsistent !ith the s"%e of
e2$eption $l"ses else!here in the Gree* Bible is s$ope z1& 1t seems th"t !e "re for$ed to $hoose
bet!een "n nderst"ndin% th"t is %r"mm"ti$"ll) sond bt sem"nti$"ll) $onfsin%+ "nd
"ltern"tives th"t "re sem"nti$"ll) $onsistent bt %r"mm"ti$"ll) irre%l"r&
C.@ The Lor# 6e'%'& U'e of F,%re'
M) soltion to the problem of the forni$"tion $l"se proposes th"t the Cord ses one !ord+
UhinoX+ !ith " doble sense& 9hen !e re"d the verses !ithot the e2$eption $l"se+ the !ord
me"ns Ndivor$e&N 1n the $"se of forni$"tion+ tho%h+ it me"ns N*ill&N .e"ders m") re"son"bl) "s*
!hether there is pre$edent for the Cord3s se of s$h !ordpl")+ espe$i"ll) sin$e it seems to
obs$re his instr$tion& 1n this note 1
mot1"te m) e2pl"n"tion b) observin% some fn$tions of fi%r"tive l"n%"%eP
"!"l24e the p"rti$l"r form of fi%re th"t the Cord is sin%P "nd
(re'e!t other e2"mples of this fi%re+ both on the Cord3s lips+ "nd else!here in the
Bible&
C.@.1 Some F%!cto!' of F,%re'
Fi%res of spee$h "re to l"n%"%e !h"t herbs "nd spi$es "re to food& 'he) *eep the he"rer "lert
"nd interested+ "nd !het his "ppetite to he"r more& Ci*e fl"vorin%s+ the) $"n be oversed&
Bl"t"nt+ self7$ons$ios !ordpl") "ttr"$ts "ttention to itself "nd "!") from the mess"%e& ?sed
s*illfll)+ it m"*es the differen$e bet!een boredom "nd brilli"n$e&
Fi%res "re verb"l b"rbs+ helpin% ide"s to sti$* in the memor)& 1f !e e2"mine "n) f"mos
s")in% $"refll)+ !e !ill find some trope th"t h"s $ontribted to its persisten$e& Some fi%res+
li*e met"phors "nd similes+ do their !or* b) dr"!in% " !ord pi$tre& 8thers $"t$h or "ttention
!ith repetition of simil"r sonds& Still others be%in b) p##lin% s+ for$in% s to thin* t!i$e -"nd
ths remember them more thoro%hl)/ in order to fi%re them ot&
9hen fi%r"tive l"n%"%e re=ires e2tr" tho%ht+ it $"n serve "s " %"te+ e2$ldin% those !ho
do not trl) !ish to nderst"nd "nd "dmittin% onl) the interested& 4ll three s)nopti$ Gospels
e2pli$itl) st"te th"t the Cord sometimes veils his te"$hin% !ith rhetori$"l devi$es+ p"rti$l"rl) the
p"r"ble -M"tt& 13:1071:P M"r* 4:10712P C*e 6:9+10/&
1n prin$iple+ then+ the Cord3s se of fi%res of spee$h shold not srprise s+ even if those
fi%res sometimes re=ire " se$ond or " third re"din% to be nderstood& ,is fre=ent se of
p"r"bles mi%ht even en$or"%e s to e2pe$t "n ns"ll) hi%h fre=en$) of other rhetori$"l
fi%res in his te"$hin%&
C.@.$ Wh"t I' the F,%re0
1t is re"son"ble to e2pe$t fi%res of spee$h in the Cord3s te"$hin%+ bt !e "re not (stified in
for$in% "n) fi%re !e ple"se on his spee$h& @o one is srprised if !e point ot " p"r"ble+ sin$e
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
he $ommonl) ses p"r"bles& 1n this std)+ !e !"nt to *no! !hether the p"rti$l"r *ind of fi%re
s%%ested for M"tt& 5:32 "nd 19:9 "ppe"rs else!here in the Bible+ "nd p"rti$l"rl) in the Cord3s
te"$hin%&
4t first %l"n$e+ the fi%re "ppe"rs to be " polysemantic pun+ " sin%le !ord sed !ith t!o
me"nin%s "t the s"me time& ,o!ever+ the doble me"nin% oper"tes "t " deeper level th"n sin%le
!ords& 4s ,eth "nd 9enh"m 1965 fre=entl) point ot+ "ll interpret"tions of the e2$eptive
!ords e2$ept the 4%stini"n nderst"nd it "s "n ellipti$"l $l"se& 'h"t is+ the sense of the
e2$eption in$ldes " repetition of NdismissN from the m"in senten$e& 'he fll form of the verses
!old be%in+ N9hoever dismisses his !ife+ nless he dismisses her for forni$"tion+ \N 'he
se$ond o$$rren$e of NdismissesN drops ot in the srf"$e form of the senten$e+ bt the senten$e
is nderstood "s tho%h it !ere present&
8r interpret"tion of the e2$eption "lso relies on " se$ond nderstood Ndismisses&N 'he
differen$e in me"nin% is re"ll) bet!een these t!o o$$rren$es of the verb: N9hoever dismisses
YO divor$esZ his !ife+ nless he dismisses YO e2e$tesZ her for forni$"tion+ \N
1f !e nderst"nd the Cord3s fi%re here "s the se of the s"me !ord t!i$e in " senten$e !ith
different me"nin%s+ its $l"ssi$"l n"me is antanaclasis or N!ord7$l"shN -Bllin%er 1696:265/& 1t is
" v"riet) of the more $ommon paronomasia+ !here the t!o !ords need not be identi$"l bt m")
merel) sond "li*e&
C.@.* Rel"te# F,%re' ! the -ble
9hether !e $l"ss the Cord3s fi%re of spee$h "s " pn or "s !ord7$l"sh+ it is not !ithot p"r"llel
in the rest of the Bible&
Stri$t pns "re $omp"r"tivel) r"re in the Bible& Bllin%er 1696 lists none in his en$)$lopedi$
srve) of bibli$"l fi%res of spee$h& 9"tson 1964:2417242 lists ten e2"mples from the 8ld
'est"ment+ bt $omments th"t the fi%re Nis not "ll th"t fre=entP it too* " s*illed poet to e2ploit
mltiple me"nin%&N Mole 1959:19: %ives three e2"mples from the @e! 'est"ment&
8ne pn from the spee$h of ;hrist is Lohn 5:29& 'he Le!s "s*+ N9h"t shold !e do+ th"t !e
m") !or* the !or*s of GodHN ,e replies+ N'his is the !or* of God+ th"t )o believe on him
!hom he h"s sent&N 4t first+ the) nderst"nd the phr"se N!or* of GodN to me"n N" %odl) or
ri%hteos !or*&N 4s he $ontines to te"$h+ he n$overs " se$ond+ deeper sense in the !ords&
8ll whom the Father gave me shall come to me !1%0A&. /o one is able to come to me unless the Father
who sent me draws him !1%++&.
Belief is not (st " %odl) !or* th"t men doP it is ltim"tel) " !or* th"t God himself performs in
the he"rts of men& 4s the Le!s se the phr"se N!or* of God+N the) nderst"nd it in the first sense+
"nd the Cord in repe"tin% it in his response invites them to nderst"nd it the s"me !")& ,is
sbse=ent te"$hin% sho!s th"t he h"s " se$ond me"nin% in mind for it "s !ell&
'he Cord "lso ses " pn in his intervie! !ith @i$odems in Lohn 3& ,is f"mos phr"se
Nborn "%"inN $"n "lso be tr"nsl"ted Nborn from "bove&N Both me"nin%s fit !ell in the $onte2t+ "nd
the Cord prob"bl) intends @i$odems to nderst"nd them both& 'he s"me $h"pter "lso $ont"ins "
pl") on the t!o me"nin%s of the Gree* !ord hmWoVU+ N!indN "nd NspiritN -Lohn 3:6/&
8ne of the e2"mples %iven b) Mole is the !ord o{iX Nto lift p+N !hi$h "ppe"rs on the
Cord3s lips in Lohn 3:14P 6:26P 12:32& 'he immedi"te referen$e in e"$h $"se is to the ph)si$"l
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
elev"tion of the Cord3s bod) on the $ross+ bt lr*in% not too f"r in the b"$*%rond is the notion
of the e2"lt"tion "nd %lorifi$"tion of ;hrist th"t p"r"do2i$"ll) reslts from th"t hmili"tin% de"th&
9ord7$l"sh "nd p"ronom"si" "re more $ommon th"n simple pns in the Bible& Bllin%er lists
nmeros e2"mples& 8ne e2"mple on the lips of the Cord in M"tthe!3s %ospel is M"tt& 6:22& 4
dis$iple "s*s le"ve to br) his f"ther before follo!in% the Cord+ !ho replies+ NCet the de"d br)
their de"d&N 'he se$ond o$$rren$e of Nde"dN refers to someone ph)si$"ll) de"d -in this $"se+ the
dis$iple3s f"ther/+ !hile the first o$$rren$e refers to spirit"l de"th& 'he shift in the sense of the
!ord m"*es the phr"se f"r more interestin% "nd memor"ble th"n it !old be if the Cord h"d
spelled ot the me"nin% e2pli$itl)&
'he !ords of ;hrist "s re$orded in the Gospels "re not ploddin% prose pl"titdes+ bt the
!or* of " m"ster te"$her& P"l m") bore his he"rers to sleep -4$ts 20:9/+ bt the Cord never f"ils
to sei#e their "ttention& Ci*e "n) %ood spe"*er+ he sometimes ses !ords !ith mltiple senses to
"dd spi$e -"nd perh"ps " bit of " p##le/ to his te"$hin%& 'he se of " pn or !ord7$l"sh in the
divor$e te2ts is neither npre$edented nor ne2pe$ted on the lips of ;hrist&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 1H
OUR LORD&S CONVERSATIONS ON DIVORCE
'he Cord Less delivers the Sermon on the Mont ne"r the be%innin% of his pbli$ ministr)+ (st
"fter $"llin% his t!elve dis$iples& 9e h"ve seen ho! he $h"llen%es the Ph"risees3 nderst"ndin%
of divor$e& 'he) thin* th"t " m"rri"%e $"n be dissolved so th"t both p"rtners m") rem"rr)& B)
pl")in% on their !ord for Ndivor$e+N he sho!s th"t the 8ld 'est"ment C"! "llo!s sep"r"tion onl)
in the $"se of forni$"tion& 1n s$h $ir$mst"n$es+ "$$ordin% to Feteronom) 22+ the %ilt) p"rt)
is stoned+ "nd the =estion of rem"rri"%e does not "rise&
4bot three )e"rs l"ter+ to!"rd the end of his ministr)+ the Ph"risees dire$tl) $h"llen%e the
Cord "bot m"rri"%e "nd divor$e& 1n the $orse of the $onvers"tion+ re$orded in M"tt& 19:1712
"nd M"r* 10:1712+ the Cord "%"in re(e$ts their nderst"ndin% of Feteronom) 24& 1n this $h"pter+
!e dis$ss the 'ett!, of the $onvers"tion+
then std) the co!1er'"to! itself "nd
the Cord3s comme!t' "fter!"rds to his dis$iples&
Fin"ll)+ !e loo* briefl) "t "!other co!1er'"to! bet!een the Cord "nd the Ph"risees+
re$orded in C*e3s Gospel&
1H.1 The Sett!,
1n the Gospels+ the Le!ish le"ders often tr) to for$e the Cord into " position th"t !ill m"*e
enemies for him& 'he) sprin% one of these tr"ps "s he tr"vels from G"lilee to Lers"lem (st
before his $r$ifi2ion&
Sever"l ro"ds le"d from G"lilee in the northern p"rt of 1sr"el to Lers"lem in the $enter& Both
G"lilee "nd Lers"lem "re !est of the Lord"n .iver+ so most rotes st") on the !est side of the
Lord"n& 8ne ver) popl"r rote+ tho%h+ is e"st of the Lord"n+ thro%h the territor) of Pere"& 'he
Cord follo!s the e"stern rote on his l"st (orne) to Lers"lem -M"tt& 19:1P M"r* 10:1/&
'he rler of Pere" is ,erod 4ntip"s+ !ho behe"ded Lohn the B"ptist& ,erod did not disli*e
Lohn+ "nd in f"$t r"ther en(o)ed listenin% to him pre"$h -M"r* 5:20/& Bt Lohn spo*e ot "%"inst
4ntip"s3 m"rri"%e to ,erodi"s+ !hom he h"d sed$ed to divor$e her first hsb"nd so th"t he
$old t"*e her& Lohn3s pre"$hin% $onvi$ted ,erodi"s+ "nd to silen$e the prophet+ she pers"ded
4ntip"s to imprison Lohn "nd l"ter to e2e$te him -M"r* 5:1:726/&
'he Ph"risees *no! th"t divor$e is " sensitive sb(e$t in Pere"& 'he) "lso *no! th"t the
Cord3s position on divor$e+ "s presented in the Sermon on the Mont+ is simil"r to Lohn3s& 9hen
the) find ;hrist in this re%ion+ the) tr) to lre him into s")in% somethin% "bot divor$e th"t !ill
enr"%e ,erod3s !ife+ so th"t she !ill destro) him "s she did Lohn& M"tthe! "nd M"r* re$ord
portions of the resltin% $onvers"tion&
1H.$ The Co!1er'"to! :th the Ph"r'ee'
'he t!o interpret"tions of Fet& 24:174 differ on !hether Moses $onsiders divor$e "s "
le%itim"te option in m"rri"%e+ or !hether he merel) t"*es its effe$ts into "$$ont& '!i$e in the
$onvers"tion bet!een ;hrist "nd the Ph"risees+ this $ontr"st be$omes "pp"rent& 'he Ph"risees
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
introd$e the $ontr"st to b"it the Cord into $ondemnin% divor$e& C"ter+ he trns the $ontr"st
"%"inst them&
1H.$.1 The Ph"r'ee' Ch"lle!,e the Lor#
M"r* 10:274 re$ords ho! the Ph"risees introd$e the $ontr"st "t the openin% of the $onvers"tion&
The #harisees \ asked him, C's it lawful for a man to dismiss his wifeGC, tempting him.
8nd he, answering, said unto them, C9hat did ;oses command youGC
8nd they said, C;oses allowed to write a bill of divorcement, and to dismiss.C
'he Ph"risees set their tr"p b) "s*in% !hether divor$e is l"!fl& 'he) do not e2pe$t the Cord
to s") N>es+N be$"se the) thin* he holds the s"me vie! th"t Lohn did& 1f the Cord s")s N@o+N
the) !ill report him to ,erod& 'he Cord dete$ts their m"li$e+ "nd "ns!ers b) "s*in% them !h"t
Moses $omm"nds&
Ci*e most Le!s of their d")+ the Ph"risees believe th"t Moses not onl) "llo!ed+ bt in f"$t
$omm"nded+ divor$e& ,o!ever+ the) hesit"te to press this point+ sin$e the) !ish to le"d the Cord
into " $le"r $ondemn"tion of divor$e& 'o eli$it the Cord3s vie!+ the) mst m"*e the l"! seem
"mbi%os "nd invite his interpret"tion& So the) respond+ NMoses "llo:e# to !rite " bill of
divor$ement&N
Sin$e the) invite "n interpret"tion+ the Cord %ives them one&
@esus answered and said unto them, C(ecause of your hardness of heart he wrote you this preceptC
!;ark $B%?&.
'h"t is+ Moses *ne! th"t the people h"d h"rd he"rts+ "nd th"t the) !old stmble into divor$e&
,e !rote Fet& 24:174 to tell people !h"t to do !hen the) find themselves in s$h "
$ir$mst"n$e& Bt God never intended th"t m"n "nd !ife shold sep"r"te& ;hrist reminds the
Ph"risees th"t the s"me Moses !ho !rote Fet& 24:174 "lso re$orded the instittion of m"rri"%e
in Genesis:
CFrom the beginning of creation God made them male and female. (ecause of this a man shall leave his
father and mother, and be :oined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. So then they are no more
two, but one flesh. 9hat therefore God has :oined together, let not man separateC !;ark $B%1><&.
1H.$.$ The Lor# T".e' Co!trol
'he Ph"risees !"nt the Cord to $omment on Feteronom) 24 "nd divor$e& 'he Cord defle$ts
their "ttention to Genesis 3 "nd m"rri"%e& Frstr"ted+ the) tr) to pll him b"$* to Feteronom)&
'he) $"relessl) drop their %"rd+ "nd sho! their re"l "ttitde to!"rd the p"ss"%e b) $"llin% it "
comm"!#. M"tthe! re$ords this p"rt of the $onvers"tion&
IThe #hariseesJ say unto him, C9hy did ;oses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to
dismiss awayGC e says unto them, C;oses because of your hardness of heart allowed you to dismiss
your wives, but from the beginning it was not soC !;att. $<%A,E&.
'he Cord "ns!ers+ not b) opposin% Moses+ bt b) opposin% their interpret"tion& 'he) $l"im+
NMoses $omm"nded&N ,e responds+ NMoses "llo!ed&N Moses3 le%isl"tion does not $omm"nd
divor$e& 1t onl) m"*es "llo!"n$e for it+ b) tellin% people !h"t to do if the) "re divor$ed&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he Ph"risees see divor$e "s " ri%ht %"r"nteed b) the C"!+ follo!in% the three l"!
interpret"tion of Feteronom) 24& 'he Cord s")s th"t it merel) m"*es provision for m"n3s sin&
,e spports the interpret"tion of the entire p"r"%r"ph "s " sin%le $omm"nd&
'he Cord h"s t"*en $ontrol of the $onvers"tion& From this position of stren%th he delivers his
te"$hin%:
8nd ' say to you, C9hoever dismisses his wife, e*cept for fornication, and marries another, commits
adultery, and he who marries a dismissed woman commits adulteryC !;att. $<%<&.
1roni$"ll)+ this is prob"bl) (st the sort of stron% st"tement th"t the Ph"risees ori%in"ll) hoped to
eli$it from him& >et he delivers it onl) "fter m"*in% $le"r to them !ho is in $ontrol& ,is $ontrol
e2tends be)ond them to ,erod+ for in spite of their m"li$e+ the) do not s$$eed in brin%in% Lohn3s
f"te pon him&
'he Cord3s te"$hin% on divor$e here is simil"r to th"t in the Sermon on the Mont& ,e "%"in
ses the Ph"risees3 !ord for divor$e+ me"nin% liter"ll) Ndismiss&N ,e "%"in s")s th"t it is "dlter)
to m"rr) " dismissed !om"n& Goin% be)ond the Sermon on the Mont+ he "dds th"t the hsb"nd
!ho dismisses her "nd m"rries someone else $ommits "dlter)+ nless he dismisses her for
forni$"tion& 8n$e "%"in+ !e nderst"nd from Feteronom) 22 th"t in the $"se of forni$"tion she
is de"d+ "nd there is no d"n%er of "dlter)&
1H.* The Comme!t' to the D'c(le'
'he Cord3s te"$hin% is stri$t& ?nli*e the Ph"risees+ he forbids divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e& 'he
dis$iples h"ve he"rd the Cord3s position before+ in the Sermon on the Mont& 'h"t sermon
to$hed on so m"n) themes th"t the) m") h"ve overloo*ed ho! stri$t his position is& @o! the)
he"r it "%"in+ "ll b) itself+ "s he e2pl"ins it to the Ph"risees& 'he) "re sho$*ed+ "nd "s* him t!o
=estions "bot it&
1H.*.1 The D'c(le' A'. "bo%t Rem"rr",e
M"r* re$ords the dis$iples3 first =estion&
8nd in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter !;ark $B%$B&.
'he) !onder if the) h"ve he"rd him $orre$tl)+ "nd "s* him to repe"t his te"$hin% on$e more& ,e
responds !ith the s"me $on$lsion he %"ve the Ph"risees+ el"bor"ted " little&
8nd he says to them,
C9hoever dismisses his wife, and marries another,
commits adultery against her,
and if a woman dismisses her husband and is
married to another,
she commits adulteryC !;ark $B%$$>$"&.
For the first time+ the Cord "dds " $omment "bot " !om"n !ho divor$es her hsb"nd& @either
the hsb"nd nor the !ife $"n initi"te divor$e "nd then rem"rr)&
M"r* does not mention the e2$eption for forni$"tion& 1n the ne2t $h"pter+ !e !ill see th"t
M"r* m") le"ve it ot be$"se his "dien$e !old not nderst"nd it& 1n "n) event+ the dis$iples
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
no! *no! th"t the) h"ve he"rd $orre$tl)& 'he Cord does forbid divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e+ in the
stron%est possible terms&
1H.*.$ The D'c(le' A'. "bo%t Celb"c2
'he dis$iples3 ne2t =estion sho!s th"t the) h"ve "l!")s tho%ht of divor$e "s " possible es$"pe
from " b"d m"rri"%e&
is disciples say to him, C'f the case of the man be so with the wife, it is not e*pedient to marryC
!;att. $<%$B&.
1f there re"ll) is no es$"pe from m"rri"%e other th"n de"th+ then one h"d better rem"in nm"rried&
'he dis$iples3 s%%estion sho!s ho! stron% the) nderst"nd the Cord3s te"$hin% to be& Some
modern re"ders m") tr) to find loopholes in the Cord3s !ords& 'o the dis$iples+ !ho he"r the
te"$hin% over "nd over "nd dis$ss it !ith the Cord+ there "re no loopholes& 'he Cord3s "ns!er to
their $omment $ert"inl) doesn3t "dd "n)+ either&
e said to them, C/ot all receive this word, but those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who
were born thus from their mother=s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and
there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. 7et him who is
able to receive it, receive itC !;att. $<%$$>$"&.
'heir "n"l)sis is $orre$t+ "s f"r "s it %oes& ,e !ho $"n follo! it+ shold& Bt the dis$iples need to
re"li#e th"t not ever)one $"n live " %odl) life "s " sin%le person& ;elib"$) re=ires " spe$i"l %ift
from God& Most people shold m"rr)0"nd m"rr) !ith the nderst"ndin% th"t onl) de"th $"n end
their nion&
1H.5 A!other Co!1er'"to! :th the Ph"r'ee'
C*e re$ords "nother $onvers"tion bet!een the Cord "nd the Ph"risees in !hi$h the sb(e$t of
divor$e $omes p& 'his $onvers"tion prob"bl) o$$rs in the period bet!een the Sermon on the
Mont "nd the en$onter in Pere"& 'he m"in sb(e$t of the $onvers"tion is not divor$e+ bt
mone)&
4s C*e 15 opens+ the Cord is t"l*in% to his dis$iples& ,e tells them " stor) "bot "n n(st
ste!"rd+ "nd $on$ldes+ N>o $"nnot serve God "nd m"mmonN -C*e 15:13/& 'he Ph"risees "re
listenin% in+ "nd offer their opinion&
8nd the #harisees also, being covetous, heard all these things, and they derided him !7uke $1%$+&.
'he Cord responds to their mo$*er) b) $ondemnin% them:
Dou are they who :ustify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is highly
esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God !7uke $1%$?&.
'he Ph"risees despise him for !"rnin% "%"inst m"teri"l !e"lth+ bt God despises th"t !e"lth+ for
it ste"ls men3s "ffe$tion from him&
'he Ph"risees3 $"rn"lit) is "ll the more despi$"ble+ be$"se most people re$eive the pre"$hin%
of the *in%dom e"%erl)&
The 7aw and the #rophets were until @ohn. Since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every
man presses into it !7uke $1%$1&.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he mltitdes %l"dl) he"r the Cord "nd follo! him& 'heir $ommitment is not "l!")s deep+ bt
the) do not immedi"tel) re(e$t him "s the Ph"risees do&
'o point p their sinflness+ the Cord isses his te"$hin% on divor$e& God3s l"! $"nnot f"il&
4s "n e2"mple+ the Cord mentions m"rri"%e&
't is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the 7aw to fall. Every one dismissing his
wife and marrying another commits adultery, and every one marrying a woman dismissed from a
husband commits adultery !7uke $1%$A,$E&.
,is $omment rests on the nderst"ndin% th"t the Ph"risees do not "$$ept his te"$hin% on divor$e&
B) their position on divor$e the) re(e$t God3s l"!& 'his re(e$tion reve"ls their !i$*edness "nd
"ssres their (d%ment&
'he $onvers"tion in C*e 15 is the third $onte2t !here !e find the Cord presentin% the s"me
position on divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e& 1ts repetition in different settin%s sho!s th"t this te"$hin% is
not " $"s"l $omment& 1t is " prin$iple th"t is "s import"nt to the Cord "s it is forei%n to the
te"$hin% of the Ph"risees&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h) do the Ph"risees !"nt the Cord to m"*e " st"tement "bot divor$e in M"tthe! 19
"nd M"r* 10H
2& Ple"se e2pl"in ho! the differen$e bet!een s")in% NMoses $omm"nds divor$eN "nd
s")in% NMoses "llo!s divor$eN $orresponds !ith the t!o interpret"tions of
Feteronom) 24 th"t !e stdied in ;h"pter 5
3& ,o! do the dis$iples3 =estions $onfirm the stri$tness of the Cord3s te"$hin%H
4& 9h"t s%%estion do the dis$iples m"*e to "void m"rit"l problemsH
5& 9h"t does the Cord thin* of their s%%estionH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 11
SU++ARILIN) THE LORD&S TEACHIN) ON DIVORCE
'he Cord3s for s")in%s on divor$e sond simil"r to one "nother& 'he) "re m"de p of simil"r
pie$es+ s$h "s N9hoever dismisses his !ife \+N Ne2$ept for forni$"tion \+N "nd N$ommits
"dlter) \&N @o one s")in% h"s "ll of the pie$es+ "nd no pie$e "ppe"rs in "ll for s")in%s&
'he Cord3s s")in%s "bot divor$e "re li*e s"l"ds "ssembled "t " s"l"d b"r !ith five
in%redients& G"$h in%redient is " different ide" "bot divor$e& G"$h s")in% $ombines t!o or three
different in%redients& 1n the l"st t!o $h"pters+ !e $onsidered e"$h s")in% in its o!n $onte2t& @o!
!e brin% "ll of them to%ether to std) the individ"l in%redients "nd to see the $omplete pi$tre
of divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e th"t the) present&
1n this $h"pter
!e reprint e"$h com(lete '"2!,= identif)in% the different ide"s th"t it $ont"ins&
'hen !e %"ther to%ether the simil"r p"rts from the different s")in%s so th"t !e $"n
nderst"nd the !,re#e!t'&
11.1 I#e!tf2!, the Pece' of the S"2!,'
9e !ill =ote e"$h of the s")in%s+ bre"*in% it into p"rts "nd m"r*in% e"$h !ith " $"pit"l letter&
Some of the letters !ill o$$r in more th"n one s")in%& 'hose s")in%s h"ve p"rts in $ommon&
+"tt. 8:*1;*$
' say to you,
8 9hoever dismisses his wife,
B e*cept for the cause of fornication,
8 causes her to commit adultery,
; and whoever marries a dismissed woman commits adultery.C
'he s")in% in the Sermon on the Mont h"s three ide"s&
4 4 dismissed !om"n $ommits "dlter) !hen she rem"rries+ "nd the m"n !ho divor$es
her sh"res in the %ilt of th"t "dlter)&
B Forni$"tion prevents this "dlter)&
; 'he se$ond hsb"nd of " dismissed !om"n $ommits "dlter) b) m"rr)in% her&
+"tt. 1C:C
' say to you,
F 9hoever dismisses his wife,
B e*cept for fornication,
F and marries another, commits adultery,
; and he who marries a dismissed woman commits adultery.
9hen the Cord spe"*s to the Ph"risees in Pere"+ he introd$es " ne! ide":
F 'he m"n !ho dismisses his !ife $ommits "dlter) !hen he rem"rries&
,e "lso repe"ts t!o of the ide"s from the Sermon on the Mont:
B Forni$"tion "%"in prevents "dlter) in rem"rri"%e&
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; 'he se$ond hsb"nd of " dismissed !om"n $ommits "dlter) b) m"rr)in% her&
,e does not repe"t the te"$hin% th"t the dismissed !ife $ommits "dlter) in rem"rr)in%&
+"r. 1H:11;1$
e says to them,
F C9hoever dismisses his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her,
G and if a woman dismisses her husband and is married by another, she commits adultery.C
4fter spe"*in% !ith the Ph"risees in Pere"+ the Cord e2pl"ins m"tters frther to his dis$iples&
F ,e repe"ts !h"t he told the Ph"risees "bot the rem"rri"%e of the first hsb"nd&
G 4 !om"n !ho initi"tes " divor$e "nd rem"rries $ommits "dlter)&
L%.e 1@:1E
F Every one dismissing his wife and marrying another commits adultery,
; and every one marrying a woman dismissed from a husband commits adultery.
1n the $onvers"tion !ith the Ph"risees re$orded b) C*e+ the Cord s")s the s"me thin%s th"t he
s"id to the Ph"risees in Pere"+ bt !ithot the $l"se "bot forni$"tion&
11.$ I!ter(ret!, the Pece' of the S"2!,'
9e h"ve identified five in%redients in the s"l"d b"r+ five m"in ide"s from !hi$h the Cord bilds
his s")in%s& @o! !e $"n loo* "t e"$h in%redient b) itself&
The D1orcee IAJ 3 1n M"tt& 5:32+ the Cord te"$hes th"t divor$e $"ses the divor$ed !om"n to
$ommit "dlter) b) rem"rr)in%& ,e t"*es it for %r"nted th"t " divor$ee !ill rem"rr)+ for she
needs " hsb"nd to spport her& 9hen she does rem"rr)+ she $ommits "dlter)& 1t does not m"tter
!hether her first hsb"nd !"s (stified in divor$in% her or not& Perh"ps he "bsed her "nd m"de
her life miser"ble+ then dis$"rded her for someone else& Still+ she $"nnot rem"rr) inno$entl)& 1n
God3s e)es+ she is still his !ife "nd he is still her hsb"nd& Frthermore+ the first hsb"nd sh"res
in the %ilt of her "dlteros rem"rri"%e+ be$"se he opened the door to th"t m"rri"%e b)
divor$in% her in the first pl"$e&
The For!c"to! Cl"%'e I-J 3 Both times th"t M"tthe! $ites the Cord3s s")in%s on divor$e+ he
in$ldes the forni$"tion $l"se& Frthermore+ onl) M"tthe! $ites the $l"se& M"r* "nd C*e
never mention it& 9h) does it o$$r onl) p"rt of the timeH
Perh"ps the differen$e %oes b"$* to the Cord himself& @o t!o Gospels $ite e2"$tl) the s"me
s")in%& M"tthe! =otes the Sermon on the Mont "nd the Cord3s !ords to the Ph"risees in Pere"&
M"r* =otes the Cord3s l"ter e2pl"n"tion to the dis$iples in Pere"+ !hile C*e re$ords "n entirel)
different $onvers"tion& 'he Cord m") h"ve sed the phr"se in t!o inst"n$es+ "nd not in the other
t!o&
9e "re "t " loss+ tho%h+ to *no! !h) he !old not se it ever) time& 'he s"me ide"s o$$r
in M"tt& 19:9 "nd C*e 15:16+ e2$ept th"t M"tthe! "dds the forni$"tion $l"se& 'he "dien$e -the
Ph"risees/ is the s"me in both $"ses& 'here is no $le"r motive for the Cord to in$lde the s")in%
one time bt not the other&
'!o f"$ts s%%est "nother e2pl"n"tion& 'he t!o f"$ts "re:
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1& 'he forni$"tion $l"se "ssmes th"t the re"der or he"rer nderst"nds the l"!s of
forni$"tion defined in Feteronom) 22& 8nl) in the li%ht of these l"!s $"n !e
nderst"nd ho! " !om"n $"n be NdismissedN for forni$"tion "nd not $ommit "dlter)
b) rem"rr)in%&
2& M"tthe! is the most Le!ish of the Gospels& 1t presents the Cord to " Le!ish "dien$e "s
the flfillment of the Messi"ni$ promises of the 8ld 'est"ment& M"r* "nd C*e "re
!ritten to more %ener"l "dien$es+ "dien$es th"t in$lde Gree* "nd .om"n re"ders
!ho !ill not nderst"nd the 8ld 'est"ment ver) !ell&
M"tthe! in$ldes the forni$"tion $l"se be$"se his Le!ish re"ders shold *no!
Feteronom) 22 "nd $"t$h the Cord3s pn on Ndismiss&N Gentile re"ders+ not *no!in% th"t the
C"! re=ires " forni$"tor to be stoned+ mi%ht misnderst"nd the $l"se "nd thin* th"t it (stifies
rem"rri"%e in the $"se of forni$"tion& 'his is e2"$tl) !h"t the Cord does !ot te"$h& M"r* "nd
C*e+ *eepin% their Gentile "dien$e in mind+ "void possible misnderst"ndin% b) le"vin% the
$l"se ot&
The Seco!# S(o%'e ICJ 3 M"tt& 5:32+ M"tt& 19:9+ "nd C*e 15:16 "ll "ffirm th"t the se$ond
hsb"nd of " divor$ed !om"n $ommits "dlter)& 'his te"$hin% is (st the other side of the $oin to
4& She still belon%s to her first hsb"nd+ "nd the se$ond hsb"nd viol"tes th"t s"$red nion b)
t"*in% her to himself&
The D1orc!, H%'b"!# IDJ 3 M"tt& 19:9+ M"r* 10:11+ "nd C*e 15:16 "%ree th"t the m"n !ho
divor$es his !ife still belon%s to her+ "nd is not free to rem"rr)& 1n spite of " m"n3s best efforts to
bre"* the m"rri"%e bond+ it rem"ins int"$t before God& 1t does not m"tter ho! miser"ble the !ife
m"*es the hsb"nd+ or ho! %rievosl) she h"s !ron%ed him& ,e is hers "s srel) "s she is his&
Forni$"tion m") sep"r"te them+ if it is de"lt !ith "$$ordin% to the C"!+ for then one spose !ill
die& Bt it is de"th+ not " m"n7m"de divor$e+ th"t ends the nion& B) omittin% the forni$"tion
$l"se+ M"r* "nd C*e !"rn s th"t Gentile responses to forni$"tion+ s$h "s sep"r"tion !ithot
$"pit"l pnishment+ do not (stif) rem"rri"%e&
The D1orc!, Wfe IEJ 3 Most of the Cord3s s")in%s "re phr"sed in terms of " m"n3s divor$in%
his !ife& 'his form of divor$e !"s the most $ommon one in the first $entr) 4&F&& ,o!ever+ the
prin$iples rem"in v"lid !hoever initi"tes the sep"r"tion& M"r* 10:12 emph"si#es this s)mmetr)
b) rephr"sin% ide" F in terms of " !om"n !ho see*s the divor$e&
G"$h $omponent of the Cord3s te"$hin% emph"si#es th"t m"rri"%es "re m"de in he"ven+ bt
divor$e is " prel) hm"n prod$t& Gver) p"rt) involved in divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e is %ilt) of
"dlter)& 'he Cord $ondemns the m"te !ho initi"tes the divor$e+ "nd -if rem"rri"%e follo!s the
sep"r"tion/ the one !ho is pt "!") "nd the se$ond p"rtner& 'he forni$"tion $l"se seems to
m"*e "n e2$eption& Bt it !"s onl) re$orded for Le!ish "dien$es+ "nd the) shold *no! from
their o!n S$riptres th"t forni$"tion le"ds+ not to divor$e+ bt to de"th&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h) is the forni$"tion $l"se onl) in M"tthe!H
2& 9h"t p"rties in divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e "re %ilt) of "dlter)H
3& 9h"t e2$eptions (stif) divor$e "nd rem"rri"%eH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 1$
PAUL&S TEACHIN) ON DIVORCE
1n 1 ;orinthi"ns :+ P"l %ives the most e2tended dis$ssion of m"rri"%e in the @e! 'est"ment&
Most re"ders thin* of this $h"pter "s the one !here P"l tells people to rem"in sin%le if the)
possibl) $"n& 8ne verse even seems to %ive people m"rried to nbelievers "n e2$se to end their
m"rri"%e "nd be%in "nother:
(ut if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. The brother or sister is not enslaved in such cases !$ .or.
A%$?&.
9hen !e e2"mine this verse in its $onte2t+ !e see th"t it m"*es provision for sep"r"tion
nder spe$i"l $ir$mst"n$es& 1t does not "llo! rem"rri"%e& 9e e2"mine three $onte2ts of the
verse&
The e!tre ch"(ter is often misnderstood& 1ts prpose is not to r%e people to rem"in
sin%le+ bt to en$or"%e them to $onsider m"rri"%e&
'he ("r",r"(h $ont"inin% verse 15 en$or"%es people in b"d m"rri"%es to persevere+
"nd t"*es "!") some e2$ses the) mi%ht h"ve for see*in% " divor$e&
9hen !e $ontr"st verse 15 !ith "!other 1er'e in the $h"pter+ !e see th"t P"l does not
"llo! rem"rri"%e&
1$.1 A Ch"(ter for Lo1er'
9hen it $omes to m"rri"%e+ P"l h"s " rept"tion "s " spoil7sport& Most people thin* of him "s "
$ro$het) old b"$helor !ho vie!s rom"nti$ love "s " sn"re of the devil& 1f )o "s* for eviden$e+
the) trn to 1 ;orinthi"ns : "nd point ot s$h %ems "s N1t is %ood for " m"n not to to$h "
!om"nN -verse 1/+ N,e !ho $"ses her to m"rr) does !ell+ bt he !ho does not $"se her to
m"rr) does betterN -verse 36/+ "nd NShe is h"ppier if she "bides Ynm"rriedZN -verse 40/&
'his impression is sperfi$i"l "nd misle"din%& 9e $"n see this b) e2"minin% some
$ontr"di$tions to !hi$h it le"ds+ re$onstr$tin% the $orresponden$e th"t le"ds to this $h"pter+
tr"$in% p"r"llels bet!een it "nd the Cord3s te"$hin% on individ"l %ifts for m"rri"%e "nd $elib"$)+
"nd identif)in% P"l3s re"l ob(e$tive&
1$.1.1 Some P%44le' ! 1 Cor!th"!' D
'he $onvention"l interpret"tion of 1 ;orinthi"ns : le"ds to p##lin% $ontr"di$tions+ both !ithin
the $h"pter "nd !ith other !ritin%s b) P"l&
P%44le' Wth! 0 P"l be%ins+ N1t is %ood for " m"n not to to$h " !om"n -1 ;or& ::1b/&N'hese
!ords seem to "dvo$"te the sin%le life& ,o!ever+ if the) do+ the ne2t senten$e is ver) str"n%e&
/evertheless, because of fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her
own husbandC !$ .or. A%"&.
1nste"d of bildin% on the theme of $elib"$)+ he immedi"tel) s")s th"t ever)bod) shold be
m"rried& Frthermore+ verses 3 thro%h 5 sho! th"t he is not t"l*in% "bot pl"toni$ nions&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he intern"l p##le lies in the tension bet!een the first t!o verses of the $h"pter& 1f P"l
!"nts ;hristi"ns to st") sin%le+ !h) does he !rite verse 2H 1f he !"nts them to m"rr)+ !h) does
he !rite verse 1H
P%44le' Wtho%t 0 1f P"l is so m$h "%"inst m"rri"%e in 1 ;orinthi"ns+ he $h"n%es his tne in
l"ter Gpistles&
,e $ondemns f"lse te"$hers !ho Nforbid to m"rr)N -1 'im& 4:3/&
,e "dvises Nth"t the )on%er !omen m"rr)+ be"r $hildren+ %ide the hoseN -1 'im&
5:14/&
,e even ses m"rri"%e "s " pi$tre of ;hrist3s nion !ith his $hr$h -Gph& 5/&
Perh"ps he $h"n%ed his mind] 'hen "%"in+ perh"ps the tr"dition"l interpret"tion of 1 ;orinthi"ns
: is in$orre$t&
1$.1.$ Reco!'tr%ct!, " Lo't Letter
P"l3s !ords seem p##lin% be$"se+ "s 1 ;or& ::1 tells s+ the) "re onl) one h"lf of "
$onvers"tion& P"l be%ins the $h"pter+ N@o! $on$ernin% the thin%s of !hi$h )o !rote to me&N
,e is respondin% to " letter from the ;orinthi"ns& 9e $"n nderst"nd his "ns!er better !hen !e
re$onstr$t their vie!s& 9h"t sort of letter from them $old le"d to the $ontr"stin% st"tements
!ith !hi$h P"l be%ins his responseH
1m"%ine th"t the ;orinthi"ns !rote somethin% li*e this to P"l:
Fe"r P"l+
>o3re %oin% to be so prod of s] 'he Cord h"s led s to ne! hei%hts of devotion "nd
spirit"lit)& 9e "re the bride of ;hrist+ "nd !e h"ve resolved to belon% to no one bt him&
4ll the sin%le fol*s in the $hr$h re(e$t the prospe$t of m"rri"%e& 1sn3t th"t %re"tH
M"rri"%e is (st " $on$ession to the flesh+ "nd !e "re "bove s$h tempt"tions& 'he
m"rried ;hristi"ns "re " bit s"d th"t the) didn3t see these trths e"rlier+ before the)
s$$mbed to the $"rn"l lre of m"trimon)& 'o "void sinnin% in the ftre+ the) h"ve "ll
"%reed not to to$h their sposes& From no! on !e "re brothers "nd sisters in ;hrist+ !ith
no tho%ht of nhol) desire to $lod or ;hristi"n love&
1n ;hrist+
>or Friends "t ;orinth
,o! !old P"l respondH
,e $"nnot endorse s$h " s$heme& 'his is (st the sort of heres) "%"inst !hi$h he !rites in 1
'im& 4:3& Bt the ;orinthi"ns "re not hereti$s& 'he) sin$erel) !"nt to serve the Cord& P"l mst
$orre$t their ide"s %entl)+ or he m") "lien"te them&
Sometimes friends "ppro"$h s !ith " ver) b"d ide" th"t the) thin* is ver) %ood& 9e m")
respond+ N'h"t3s " ni$e ide"& Bt h"ve )o $onsidered \ HN 9e first tr) to find somethin% %ood
in !h"t the) s")+ somethin% !ith !hi$h !e $"n "%ree& 'hen !e present the f"$ts "s !e see them&
P"l ses this str"te%) in 1 ;orinthi"ns :& ,is openin% !ords "re " smm"r) of the
;orinthi"ns3 position: N1t is %ood for " m"n not to to$h " !om"n&N 'here is somethin% noble "nd
e2"lted "bot the ide" of ;hristi"ns devotin% themselves !holl) to the servi$e of God& 1n
pr"$ti$e+ tho%h+ this ide" !ill not !or*& ;elib"$) does not =en$h ph)si$"l "ppetites& 1t onl)
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
removes the le%itim"te $h"nnel for their e2pression& 1n theor)+ ndivided devotion to God loo.'
better th"n the distr"$tion of m"rri"%e& 1n f"$t+ m"rri"%e ' better th"n the sin of forni$"tion&
1n the $onte2t of the ;orinthi"ns3 letter+ P"l3s o$$"sion"l ne%"tive $omments "bot m"rri"%e
in this $h"pter refle$t+ not " stron% person"l dist"ste for m"rri"%e+ bt his t"$t in de"lin% !ith th"t
$hr$h& 'he "mont of sp"$e he devotes to diss"din% them from $elib"$) s%%ests th"t+ f"r from
$ondemnin% m"rri"%e+ he in %ener"l "pproves it&
1$.1.* -%l#!, o! the Lor#&' Te"ch!,
'he $onvers"tion !e h"ve (st re$onstr$ted bet!een P"l "nd the ;orinthi"ns sonds f"mili"r&
9e he"rd the s"me t!o positions in or Cord3s $onvers"tion !ith his dis$iples in M"tthe! 19& 4s
'"ble 6 sho!s+ both the dis$iples in M"tthe! 19 "nd the ;orinthi"ns s%%est $elib"$) "s "
%ener"l poli$)& Both the Cord "nd P"l $"tion their he"rers not to %o be)ond their individ"l
%ifts&
T"ble E: C"%to!' to A'cetc St%#e!t'
3tudents& <ets all
stay single
2isciples
Q)att. 1+&1/R
"orinthians
Q<ost letterRS
Teacher& $e sure
of your gift
<ord Cesus
Q)att. 1+&11R
6aul
Q1 "or. 7&7R
1n M"tthe! 19+ the dis$iples re"$t to the Cord3s te"$hin% "bot divor$e !ith the !ords+
'f the case of the man be so with the wife, it is not e*pedient to marry !;att. $<%$B&.
Ci*e the ;orinthi"ns+ the) "dvo$"te $elib"$)& 'he Cord responds+
/ot all receive this word, but those to whom it is given !;att. $<%$$&.
,e emph"si#es th"t the sin%le life is " %ift from God&
P"l s")s the s"me thin%&
Every one has his own gift from God !$ .or. A%A&.
8s God has distributed to every one, \ so let him walk !$ .or. A%$A&.
'he ;orinthi"ns "re tr)in% to for$e "ll believers into " sin%le mold& Some believers "re %ifted for
$elib"$)& 8thers "re %ifted for m"rri"%e& 4ll shold live "$$ordin% to their %ifts+ not "$$ordin% to
the l"test Nspirit"lN f"d&
1$.1.5 P"%l&' Re"l Ob>ect1e ! 1 Cor!th"!' D
'he p##les prod$ed b) the $onvention"l interpret"tion+ or re$onstr$tion of the letter from the
;orinthi"ns to P"l+ "nd the rel"tion bet!een this $h"pter "nd M"tthe! 19 "ll sho! th"t P"l is
not "dvo$"tin% nivers"l $elib"$)& ,e e2presses his re"l hopes for the ;orinthi"ns in 1 ;or& ::32:
N1 !"nt )o to be !ithot c"re&N
;ert"inl)+ m"rri"%e brin%s $"res&
e who marries cares for the things of the world, how he will please his wife. \ She who marries
cares for the things of the world, how she will please her husband !$ .or. A%00,0+b&.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
4 f"ithfl hsb"nd $"res for m"int"inin% " %ood in$ome for his !ife+ so th"t she h"s " se$re
home for him "nd for their $hildren& 4 f"ithfl !ife $"res for *eepin% th"t home ne"t "nd
$omfort"ble+ so th"t he $"n be h"pp)& 4 believer !ho $"n live sin%le $"n "void these $"res+ "nd
P"l !"nts the ;orinthi"ns to be !ithot $"re&
Bt the sin%le life "lso brin%s $"res&
e who is unmarried cares for the things of the 7ord, how he will please the 7ord. 5She who is
unmarried cares for the things of the 7ord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit !$ .or.
A%0",0+a&.
1t is temptin% to see these $"res "s si%ns of spe$i"l piet)+ bt P"l does not sin%le them ot "s
better th"n the $"res of the m"rried& ,e des$ribes them !ith the s"me !ord+ N$"res+N th"t he
"pplies to m"rried people& 'he $"res of the nm"rried reslt from n"tr"l "ppetites th"t h"ve no
proper $h"nnel for flfillment& 'he) "re "s ndesir"ble "s the $"re Nfor the thin%s of the !orldN
th"t the m"rried believer m") h"ve&
P"l !"nts his re"ders to be free from $"re77not (st the $"re of this !orld+ bt "lso the $"re
of holiness in the f"$e of nrelentin% tempt"tion& 1t t"*es " spe$i"l %ift from God to live sin%le
!ithot the $ontinos distr"$tion of desire& 1t "lso t"*es " spe$i"l %ift to live m"rried !ithot
pttin% m"teri"l se$rit) "bove spirit"l v"les& ;elib"$) is not ri%ht for ever)bod)+ "nd nor is it
nivers"ll) !ron%& NGver) one h"s his o!n %ift from GodN -1 ;or& :::/&
9hen !e nderst"nd the ;orinthi"ns3 =estion+ !e "lso nderst"nd the $h"pter& 1t is not "
di"tribe "%"inst m"rri"%e& 1n f"$t+ it opposes those !ho !old re(e$t m"rri"%e for "ll people& 'he
l"st thin% !e e2pe$t in s$h " $h"pter is en$or"%ement for people to divor$e& 9ith this
nderst"ndin% of the $h"pter+ !e no! trn to the p"r"%r"ph $ont"inin% the Ndivor$e verse+N 1
;or& ::15+ "nd then to the verse itself&
1$.$ The Se("r"to! P"r",r"(h
P"l divides the $hr$h "t ;orinth into three %rops: the Nnm"rried "nd !ido!sN -::679/+ the
Nm"rriedN -::10711/+ "nd the NrestN -::12715/& 'he verses "bot the NrestN des$ribe believers !ith
nbelievin% sposes+ so the Nm"rriedN mst be believers m"rried to other believers&
'he =estion of divor$e does not "rise !ith the sin%le believers+ bt P"l does dis$ss it !ith
the t!o m"rried %rops& 1n the fervor of the $elib"$) f"d "t ;orinth+ m"rried $oples mi%ht
misnderst"nd norm"l m"rit"l tensions "s N$h"stisementN for the NsinN of m"rri"%e+ "nd see* to
dissolve their nions& P"l tells them to rem"in to%ether+ !hether or not both sposes "re
believers&
1$.$.1 U!m?e# Home'= Ver'e' 1H;11
P"l first "ddresses believers m"rried to other believers&
To the married ' command, yet not ', but the 7ord, C7et not the wife depart from her husband. (ut if
she should depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. 8nd let not the husband
put away his wifeC !$ .or. A%$B>$$&.
P"l tr"$es his instr$tion to the Cord3s te"$hin% in the Gospels+!hi$h is in trn "n e2position
of the C"! of Moses& 'he C"! "llo!s m"rri"%es onl) bet!een t!o 1sr"elites+ "nd the Cord3s
!ords "lso "ssme " Le!ish $onte2t+ in !hi$h both p"rtners $l"im to be nder the old $oven"nt&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
So the) "re " %ood b"sis for P"l3s te"$hin% to $oples !here both members profess s"lv"tion
nder the ne! $oven"nt&
P"l "dds nothin% ne! to !h"t !e h"ve "lre"d) seen in the Gospels& @either the hsb"nd nor
the !ife shold initi"te " sep"r"tion& Gven if the) do sep"r"te+ the) "re not free to rem"rr)+ e2$ept
to one "nother&
1$.$.$ +?e# Home'= Ver'e' 1$;1@
'he C"! of Moses does not re$o%ni#e m"rri"%es bet!een believers "nd nbelievers& 'he Cord3s
te"$hin% "lso does not dire$tl) "ddress mi2ed m"rri"%es& 9hen P"l spe"*s to believers !ith
nbelievin% sposes+ he "$*no!led%es th"t this revel"tion is ne! thro%h him&
(ut to the rest speak ', not the 7ord !$ .or. A%$"&.
,is !ords "re no less inspired th"n those ttered b) Cord drin% his e"rthl) ministr)& P"l is
$ommentin% on the $h"nnel of revel"tion+ not its "thorit)&
9ithot this ne! revel"tion+ believers !old trn to the 8ld 'est"ment for %id"n$e "bot
nbelievin% sposes& 'here+ the) !old le"rn from G#r" th"t God does not re$o%ni#e mi2ed
nions& 1n ;orinth3s rsh to $elib"te bliss+ the reslt !old be " flood of divor$es& 'o stop this
tenden$)+ the Cord %ives ne! instr$tion thro%h P"l&
'he instr$tion h"s t!o p"rts& 'he first mentions "n ns"ved spose !ho is h"pp) to rem"in
m"rried to the believer& 'he se$ond de"ls !ith "n nbeliever !ho !"nts to le"ve& 1n both $"ses
P"l tells the believer :h"t to do+ "nd %ives re"'o!' for *eepin% the home to%ether&
The H"((2 S(o%'e I1 Cor. D:1$;15J 0 G#r" sep"r"ted mi2ed $oples be$"se the $ivil
"thorit)+ the restored Le!ish $ommon!e"lth+ $old not s"n$tion mi2ed m"rri"%es& 1n the @e!
'est"ment+ the $ivil "thorit) is distin$t from the $hr$h+ "nd "llo!s nions of believers "nd
nbelievers& 1f the nbeliever is h"pp) !ith the m"rri"%e+ the believer shold not end it&
'f any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
8nd the woman who has an unbelieving husband and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not put
him away !$ .or. A%$">$0&.
;orinthi"ns !ho *no! their 8ld 'est"ment mi%ht h"ve mis%ivin%s "bot this instr$tion& 'he
Mos"i$ C"! provides th"t $hildren !hose "n$estors tre"ted 1sr"el n*indl) $"nnot be$ome
$iti#ens of 1sr"el for "t le"st three %ener"tions -Fet& 23::+6/& Fes$endents of 4mmonites "nd
Mo"bites+ "n$ient enemies of 1sr"el+ "re e2$lded for ten %ener"tions -Fet& 23:3/& 1lle%itim"te
$hildren+ of !h"tever "n$estr)+ "re "lso e2$lded -Fet& 23:2/&
'o ;hristi"ns+ these 8ld 'est"ment te"$hin%s mi%ht s%%est th"t God vie!s $hildren of
mi2ed m"rri"%es "s someho! inferior to those !hose p"rents "re both believers& So P"l %oes on
to e2pl"in th"t God !ill prote$t these $hildren from the n%odl) inflen$e of the p"%"n spose&
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the
husband. -therwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy !$ .or. A%$+&.
'he believer shold not le"ve the m"rri"%e+ even for the s"*e of the $hildren& God !ill see to
it th"t the $hildren "re not pollted b) the n%odl) inflen$e of the ns"ved spose&
The U!h"((2 S(o%'e 0 Sometimes the nbeliever does not !"nt to st") !ith the believer&
P"l3s ne2t instr$tions de"l !ith this problem&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
(uf if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. The brother or sister is not enslaved in such cases !$ .or.
A%$?a&.
'he believer m") feel bond to the dties of m"rri"%e+ even to!"rd " spose !ho h"s "b"ndoned
the nion& P"l relieves the ;hristi"n3s $ons$ien$e& 1f the nbeliever le"ves+ the believer is no
lon%er responsible to $onsider the !ishes "nd !ell7bein% of the p"rtner+ "s in " norm"l m"rri"%e&
'he believin% !ife does not need to sbmit to her hsb"nd& 'he believin% hsb"nd is no lon%er
responsible to spport his !ife& 'he spose !ho le"ves no lon%er h"s the "thorit) over the bod)
of the believer th"t P"l des$ribes in 1 ;or& ::4&
'his provision does not me"n th"t ;hristi"ns shold m"*e the home "s nple"s"nt "s possible
in order to $h"se the nbeliever "!")&
(ut God has called us in peace !$ .or. A%$?b&.
#aul is not referring to the internal calm that comes from being no longer enslaved to a heathen spouse.
C#eaceC in #aul rarely if ever refers to internal peace of mind. e uses the word almost always to
describe peace between individuals, such as man and God !)om. ?%$& or among men !)om. $+%$<&.
(elievers are to live in peace with all men !)om. $"%$E&, including unbelieving spouses. The believer
should do everything possible to make the unbeliever content and to preserve the marriage.
'he %re"test ot$ome+ "fter "ll+ !old be the s"lv"tion of the nbeliever&
For how do you know, wife, whether you won=t save your husbandG -r how do you know, husband,
whether you won=t save your wifeG !$ .or. A%$1&
'he phr"se N,o! do )o *no!N is $ommon in the Gree* 8ld 'est"ment& 1t "lmost "l!")s h"s "
hopefl sense& 9e mi%ht p"r"phr"se P"l3s !ords+
>o never *no!& >o m") be the me"ns God !ill se to brin% )or spose to s"lv"tion]
Peter+ !ho fre=entl) e$hoes P"l in his Gpistles+ m") h"ve this verse in mind !hen he !rites+
7ikewise, you wives, be in sub:ection to your own husbands, so that if some disobey the word, they
may be won without a word through the conduct of the wives !$ #et. 0%$&.
'he $onst"nt theme of 1 ;or& ::10715 is the perm"nen$e of m"rri"%e& Believers mst never
sep"r"te from other believers& 1f one spose is ns"ved+ the believer shold persevere in the
m"rri"%e& 1f the nbeliever see*s " sep"r"tion+ the ;hristi"n shold pr") for the s"lv"tion of the
nbeliever+ "nd t"*e "dv"nt"%e of "n) opportnit) for " pe"$efl restor"tion of the m"rri"%e&
P"l3s instr$tions "bot re$on$ili"tion stron%l) s%%est th"t verse 15 does not "thori#e
rem"rri"%e for the believer& 1f the believer m"rries someone else+ re$on$ili"tion be$omes
impossible+ be$"se of the re=irements of Feteronom) 24+ "nd the believer3s $h"nnel of
inflen$e on the nbeliever is bro*en&
1$.* Ver'e 18 AND Ver'e *C
'he emph"sis on pe"$e "nd re$on$ili"tion in verses 15 "nd 15 is one re"son to $on$lde th"t P"l
does not me"n verse 15" to permit the believer to rem"rr)& 4nother re"son emer%es !hen !e
$omp"re verse 15 !ith "nother verse in the $h"pter th"t e2pli$itl) does permit rem"rri"%e+ verse
39&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
The wife is bound by the 7aw as long as her husband lives. (ut if her husband is dead, she is free to
marry whomever she wishes, only in the 7ord !$ .or. A%0<&.
1n this verse+ bein% NbondN to " hsb"nd "nd bein% Nfree to m"rr)N "re opposites& 1f " !om"n is
bond+ she m") not m"rr)& 1f she is not bond+ she m") m"rr)&
4$$ordin% to 1 ;or& ::15+ the believer is Nnot ensl"vedN if the nbeliever le"ves& 1s Nnot
ensl"vedN the s"me "s Nnot bondNH Foes the deserted believer sh"re the freedom of the
!ido!ed believer to rem"rr)H
M"n) Gn%lish tr"nsl"tions emph"si#e the simil"rit) of the t!o verses& 1n the 4E+ 4SE+ "nd
@4SB+ the "b"ndoned spose is not nder Nbond"%e+N !hile the !ido! is no lon%er Nbond&N
'he .SE "nd the @1E m"*e the simil"rit) even stron%er+ sin% NbondN in both verses&
1n Gree*+ the t!o !ords "re =ite distin$t& 1n verse 39+ NbondN is the Gree* !ord |WX+ the
s"me verb th"t P"l ses in .om& ::2 in " simil"r $onte2t:
The woman who is under a husband is bound by the 7aw to her living husband. (ut if her husband
should die, she is released from the law of her husband.
'he $on$rete sense of |WX is Nto bind or tie&N 'he de"th of one spose nties this bond+ dissolves
the nion+ "nd le"ves the srvivor free to rem"rr)&
'he verb in verse 15 is |ioniX+ me"nin% liter"ll) Nto ensl"ve&N 'his verse is the onl) pl"$e in
the Bible th"t the !ord des$ribes m"rri"%e& 1n other $onte2ts+ |ioniX "nd rel"ted !ords
emph"si#e th"t one person sbmits to+ obe)s+ "nd see*s the ple"sre of "nother& For e2"mple+
P"l des$ribes himself "s " Nsl"ve Y" !ord derived from |ioniXZ of Less ;hristN in .om& 1:1+
"nd r%es believers to Npresent )or members sl"ves to ri%hteosness nto holinessN -.om&
5:19/& So+ in 1 ;or& ::15+ the !ord te"$hes th"t in " he"lth) m"rri"%e e"$h spose shold serve
the other3s !ell7bein%& 1t emph"si#es the d"il) dties of m"rri"%e+ not the Nm"rri"%e bond&N 9hen
the nbeliever !"l*s ot of " mi2ed m"rri"%e+ these d"il) dties end& 1f "n nbelievin% !ife
le"ves+ her hsb"nd does not need to *eep her $"r rnnin%& 1f "n nbelievin% hsb"nd le"ves+ his
!ife does not need to $onslt him on m"(or de$isions&
9hen the nbeliever dep"rts+ the believer is no lon%er ensl"ved to the spose& 'he hm"n
dties end& Bt 1 ;or& ::15 s")s nothin% "bot the bond th"t m"rri"%e est"blishes before God&
Eerse 39 does dis$ss th"t bond+ sin% " different Gree* !ord to des$ribe " nit) th"t it l"ter
s")s ends !ith de"th& Be$"se P"l ses different terms in the t!o verses+ !e shold not "ssme
th"t the) des$ribe the s"me $on$ept&
1$.5 Doe' P"%l Allo: D1orce "!# Rem"rr",e0
;ontr"r) to popl"r opinion+ 1 ;orinthi"ns : is not " m"nifesto for b"$helors "nd old m"ids& 1t
re$o%ni#es both $elib"$) "nd m"rri"%e "s %ifts of God& 1t $omm"nds believin% $oples to st")
to%ether+ "nd r%es people m"rried to nbelievers to do "ll the) $"n to preserve their m"rri"%es&
9hen !e nderst"nd the $h"pter in this !")+ verse 15 t"*es on " ne! li%ht& 1t does not
"thori#e "n e"s) !") for people to %et ot from nder the $"rn"l brden of m"rri"%e& 1t simpl)
re$o%ni#es th"t if "n nbeliever see*s " sep"r"tion+ the believer m") not be "ble to do "n)thin%
"bot it& 9hen the hm"n nion is bro*en+ the believer $"nnot dis$h"r%e the dties of m"rri"%e+
"nd shold not feel %ilt) "bot those dties& 4n "b"ndoned believer is no lon%er ensl"ved to the
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
dep"rted spose& Bt s$h " believer m") not rem"rr)+ for onl) de"th bre"*s the bond th"t ties
m"n "nd !ife to%ether before God&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t fe"tre of 1 ;orinthi"ns : seems str"n%e if !e thin* th"t P"l is "dvo$"tin%
$elib"$)H
2& 'o !h"t sort of position on the p"rt of the ;orinthi"ns is P"l prob"bl) respondin%H
3& ,o! is P"l3s response to the ;orinthi"ns li*e the Cord3s te"$hin% to his dis$iples on the
s"me sb(e$tH
4& ,o! "re Nthe restN in 1 ;or& ::12 different from Nthe nm"rried "nd !ido!sN "nd Nthe
m"rriedN of the e"rlier versesH
5& ,o! does this differen$e e2pl"in P"l3s $omments+ Nnot 1 bt the CordN -verse 10/ "nd
N1 spe"*+ not the CordN -verse 12/H
5& 9h"t is the Npe"$eN to !hi$h the Cord h"s $"lled the believer in verse 15H
:& Ple"se $omp"re "nd $ontr"st the !ords NbondN in 1 ;or& ::39 "nd Nensl"vedN
-Nbond"%eN or NbondN in some tr"nsl"tions/ in 1 ;or& ::15&
NOTES
1$.8 A#"m'& Ar,%me!t' from 1 Cor!th"!' D
1n "ddition to 1 ;or& ::15+ 4d"ms -1960/ $omments e2tensivel) on t!o other p"ss"%es in the
s"me $h"pter to spport his position th"t divor$e bre"*s the m"rri"%e bond in God3s si%ht&
1$.8.1 1 Cor. D:11: <Rem"! U!m"rre#<
1n the instr$tions to believin% $oples+ P"l !rites+
To the married ' e*hortOnot ', but the 7ord% 7et not the wife depart from the husband. (ut if she
should depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to the husband !$ .or. A%$B,$$&.
Be$"se P"l $"lls the !om"n Nnm"rried+N 4d"ms -1960:40744/ "r%es th"t her dep"rtre is "
fll divor$e r"ther th"n " sep"r"tion& P"l endo!s this st"tement !ith the fll "thorit) of the
Cord& So+ 4d"ms $on$ldes+ God himself re$o%ni#es the reslt of divor$e "s bein% Nnm"rried+N
"nd !e $"nnot spe"* of divor$ed people "s Nstill m"rried in God3s e)es&N
So f"r "s $ivil "thorit) is $on$erned+ the dep"rtre prob"bl) is divor$e+ not (st " tempor"r)
sep"r"tion& 'he verb Nto dep"rtN is the p"ssive of [XrlsX+ "nd is sed in the p"p)rii "s " le%"l
term for divor$e -B4G sub voce/& Frthermore+ the reslt is $ert"inl) the st"te of bein%
nm"rried so f"r "s se$l"r $stom is $on$erned+ for th"t is both the prpose of divor$e "nd the
pl"in st"tement of the te2t& 'he point "t isse is !hether or not God re$o%ni#es th"t st"te&
1f both God "nd the st"te re$o%ni#e the $ople "s nm"rried+ then P"l3s e2hort"tion is
$onfsin%+ for he en(oins the divor$ed !ife+ !ith "n "thorit) he "ttribtes to the Cord+ to
Nrem"in nm"rried&N 9h"t is the re"son for this in(n$tionH
4d"ms "r%es th"t P"l is see*in% re$on$ili"tion bet!een the p"rtners+ "nd be$"se Fet&
24:174 blo$*s re$on$ili"tion "fter rem"rri"%e+ rem"rri"%e mst be prevented& Bt P"l does not
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
$ite Feteronom) "s the b"sis for his rlin%& ,e $ites the te"$hin% of the Cord Less in the
S)nopti$ Gospels -"s 4d"ms re$o%ni#es/& 1n the Gospel p"ss"%es "bot divor$e+ the Cord does
not r"ise the isse of re$on$ili"tion& 1n f"$t+ he does not even s")+ NFon3t rem"rr)&N ,e does s")+
N1f )o rem"rr)+ )o $ommit "dlter)&N
'he Cord Less re$o%ni#es th"t divor$es h"ppen+ "nd so does P"l& 'he Cord $ondemns
rem"rri"%e to "nother person "s "dlter)+ "nd P"l+ $l"imin% the Cord3s "thorit)+ "lso $ondemns
rem"rri"%e& Be$"se P"l e2pli$itl) $ites the Cord+ it is $le"r th"t he is thin*in% of "dlter)+ not
te$hni$"l irre$on$il"bilit)+ "s the motive for his $omm"nd+ N.em"in nm"rried&N P"l is e$hoin%
the Cord3s te"$hin% th"t " divor$ed person !ho m"rries someone else $ommits "dlter)&
9h"t+ then+ does Nnm"rriedN me"nH ;ert"inl)+ $ivil $stom $onsiders " divor$ed $ople
nm"rried& 1f God "lso does+ !h) is it "dlter) to rem"rr)H P"l forbids rem"rri"%e& 1n spport+
he e2pli$itl) $ites the Cord3s te"$hin%+ !here the re"son is "dlter)& 4dlter) is onl) " problem if
" nion still e2ists before God&
'his nderst"ndin% of the te2t le"ds to the $on$lsion th"t the S$riptres $"n $"ll " $ople
Nnm"rriedN even if th"t st"te is onl) tre in " $ivil sense "nd not in " spirit"l one& 'he Bible
does sometimes des$ribe events "$$ordin% to their ot!"rd "ppe"r"n$e& For e2"mple+ Gen& 3:20
st"tes th"t Gve is Nthe mother of ever) livin% YpersonZ+N pl"inl) referrin% to the m"ss of m"n*ind
th"t isses from her& >et "ll of them "re born Nde"d in tresp"sses "nd sinsN -Gph& 2:1/+ "nd m"n)
never *no! spirit"l life "t "ll& 'he onl) life the) *no! is ph)si$"l+ )et the Bible does not
hesit"te to $"ll them Nlivin%&N For "nother e2"mple+ the Cord in M"tt& 23:9 instr$ts the dis$iples+
NFo not $"ll Y"n)oneZ on e"rth )or f"ther+ for )o h"ve one F"ther+ !ho is in he"ven&N >et M"tt&
4:21 des$ribes L"mes "nd Lohn "s bein% Nin the bo"t !ith Mebedee their f"ther+N "nd M"tt& 10:3:
in$ldes Nf"therN "s "mon% those !hom believers shold love less th"n the) do the Cord& 1n the
most $omplete sense onl) God is or F"ther+ )et the Bible sometimes ses the !ord in " more
sperfi$i"l sense to des$ribe hm"n p"rents&
9ords sometimes h"ve " se$l"r sense "nd " spirit"l sense& 9hen the) do+ the Bible m")
se either sense+ "nd onl) the $onte2t $"n sho! the me"nin% in " p"rti$l"r p"ss"%e& 'he $onte2t
in 1 ;or& ::10+11 indi$"tes th"t the *ind of Nnm"rriedN st"te in vie! is one th"t prohibits
rem"rri"%e& 'h"t is+ $ivil $stom re$o%ni#es the ori%in"l m"rri"%e "s dissolved+ bt God
$onsiders " nion still to be in effe$t bet!een the ori%in"l p"rtners&
1$.8.$ 1 Cor. D:$D=$E: -o%!# "!# Rele"'e#
C"ter in 1 ;orinthi"ns :+ P"l !rites+
8re you bound to a wifeG ,o not seek release. 8re you released from a wifeG ,o not seek a wife. (ut
if you should marry, you have not sinned !$ .or. A%"A,"Ea&.
4d"ms "r%es th"t the t!o o$$rren$es of Nrele"seN in this p"ss"%e both refer to divor$e&
;le"rl)+ !hen P"l s")s th"t one mst not see" to be rele"sed from " !ife he doesn3t me"n b)
de"th] 'he rele"se in vie! $"n me"n onl) one thin%0rele"se b) divor$e& So too+ the rele"se
in the se$ond inst"n$e mst refer to rele"se from the bonds of m"rri"%e b) divor$e -4d"ms
1960:64/&
,e $on$ldes th"t the permission %r"nted in ::26" is e2pli$it permission for divor$ed people to
rem"rr)&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1t is nthin*"ble to 4d"ms th"t one spose $old see* to be rele"sed from the other b) de"th&
S"dl)+ m"n) people in tense m"rit"l sit"tions find it m$h e"sier th"n 4d"ms does to thin* of
this possiblit)& ;"se stdies of both mrder "nd si$ide "ll too often report nh"pp) m"rri"%es "s
$ontribtin% to the tr"%ed)& 1t !old be $omfortin% to *no! th"t people onl) see* rele"se b)
divor$e+ bt the %rim re"lit) is other!ise& Gven " believer !ho !old never r"ise " h"nd "%"inst
self or spose mi%ht in time of "n%ish $r) ot to God for "n end to life& P"l himself e2presses "
desire Nto dep"rt+ "nd to be !ith ;hrist+N " $ondition th"t he des$ribes "s Nf"r betterN th"n e"rthl)
trmoil so f"r "s his person"l $omfort is $on$erned -Phil& 1:23/+ "nd the impre$"tor) ps"lms sho!
$le"rl) ho! " believer sometimes ple"ds !ith God to remove "n "dvers"r) th"t he d"res not
to$h himself&
So it is not $le"r th"t Nthe rele"se in vie! Yin 1 ;or& ::2:Z $"n me"n onl) \ rele"se b)
divor$e&N 1t mi%ht ver) !ell me"n rele"se b) de"th+ "s " believer be%s God to remove "n
intoler"ble spose or to be himself removed& 1n f"$t+ !hen !e t"*e the l"r%er $onte2t of the
$h"pter into "$$ont+ the possibilit) th"t P"l is referrin% to de"th r"ther th"n divor$e %ro!s into
" stron% prob"bilit)&
P"l or%"ni#es 1 ;orinthi"ns into se$tions introd$ed b) one of the t!o phr"ses N@o!
$on$ernin% BN -::1+25P 6:1P 12:1P 15:1+12/ "nd N@o! 1 L )o+ brethrenN -!here L is " verb of
spe"*in%: 1:10P 11:2P 15:1P 15:15/& 'he se$tion in !hi$h ::2:+26 f"lls is ::25740+ m"r*ed off
$le"rl) b) the he"din%s "t ::25 "nd 6:1& 1ntern"ll)+ P"l or%"ni#es this se$tion "s " chiasm+ "
liter"r) devi$e m"r*ed b) $orresponden$es bet!een the t!o ends+ then bet!een the se$tions (st
"fter the st"rt "nd (st before the finish+ "nd so on+ in "n 4B;&&&;B4 p"ttern& 'his p"ttern is "
$ommon !") to or%"ni#e do$ments in the "n$ient !orld -P"rn"* 1961+ 1962+ 1963/& 9hen !e
find s$h " p"ttern+ it $"n help s nderst"nd " p"ss"%e b) sho!in% s se$tions of the p"ss"%e
th"t !e shold interpret to%ether+ tho%h the) m") be sep"r"ted b) sever"l verses&
'"ble 9 smm"ri#es the $hi"sm in 1 ;or& ::25740& G"$h
line smm"ri#es one p"ir of se$tions+ e2$ept for the l"st
line+ !hi$h $orresponds to the $enter& @ote ho! the order
of the verses $"rries s do!n the list of topi$s+ then b"$*
p+ sho!in% the inverted s)mmetr) or $hi"sm& 'he it"li$s
sho! ho! he m"*es his point "t three s)mmetri$"ll)
lo$"ted positions in the over"ll str$tre&
1& P"l3s NLd%mentN 0 'hro%hot 1 ;orinthi"ns :+
P"l is $"refl to indi$"te !hether he dr"!s his
te"$hin% from the e"rthl) !ords of ;hrist or from
the dire$t movin% of God3s Spirit in his mind& 'his se$tion opens "nd $loses !ith the note
th"t it is ne! revel"tion to P"l&
2& M"rri"%e 8ption"l 0 'he verses !e "re std)in%+ ::2:726+ indi$"te th"t sin%leness is
"ttr"$tive bt not re=ired+ " point "lso m"de in ::35740"&
3& P"l3s Point 0 'he m"in point P"l !"nts to m"*e "ppe"rs on both sides of the $hi"sm "t
::26b+35b+ "s !ell "s in the $enter "t ::32"& 1t is th"t believers shold be !ithot $"re or
distr"$tion in their servi$e to the Cord&
4& N'his 1 s")/spe"*N 0 'he stron% verb"l simil"rit) bet!een Nthis 1 s")N -::29"/ "nd Nthis 1
spe"*N -::35"/ is " form"l pointer to help s *eep tr"$* of the $hi"sti$ order&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
T"ble C: The Ch"'m of 1 Cor
D:$8;5H
1. 6auls "Cudgment" 2*b 4/b
2. )arriage 8ptional 2A'29a !A'4/a
!. 6auls 6oint 29b !*b
4. "This I 3ayO3peak" 2+a !*a
*. Tualifications 2+b'!1 !2b'!4
A. 6auls 6oint !2a
5& B"lifi$"tions 0 'he se$tions "t ::26b731 "nd ::32b734 both sho! !h) neither m"rri"%e
nor sin%leness $"n be "n "bsolte %ood& 'he first se$tion emph"si#es th"t m"rit"l st"te+
li*e "ll the other "$$otrements of this life+ is onl) " tempor"r) $ir$mst"n$e th"t !ill one
d") $ome to "n end& 9e "re to se it for God3s %lor)+ !ithot m"*in% it "n end in itself&
'he se$ond se$tion illstr"tes this "mbiv"len$e b) sho!in% th"t both the m"rried "nd the
nm"rried "re sb(e$t to $"re "nd distr"$tion+ !hi$h the believer is to "void& ;"re -!orr)/
for the thin%s of the Cord is no better th"n $"re for the thin%s of the !orld& Both "re
!ron%&
5& P"l3s Point 0 4t the $enter+ P"l re"ffirms his $entr"l prin$iple& ;hristi"ns shold be
!ithot !orr)& 9hether the) m"rr) or not shold depend on !hi$h st"te le"ves them
most free from $"re+ not !hi$h st"te is more Nhol)&N
1n this s)mmetri$"l str$tre+ verses 2: "nd 26 $orrespond to verses 35 thro%h 40"& 1n ::2:7
26+ P"l "bstr"$tl) des$ribes m"rri"%e "s "n option& 1n ::35740"+ he %ives t!o $on$rete
illstr"tions of this option& 'he first illstr"tion is " first m"rri"%e of t!o )on% people -::35736/&
'he se$ond illstr"tion is the rem"rri"%e of " !ido! "fter the de"th of her hsb"nd -::39740/&
'he se$ond illstr"tion des$ribes " spe$ifi$ Nrele"seN from m"rri"%e0thro%h de"th+ not divor$e&
'he $hi"sti$ str$tre sho!s th"t P"l me"ns these t!o se$tions -::2:726+ 35740/ to "mplif)
one "nother& Both se$tions t"l* "bot " Nrele"seN from m"rri"%e+ "nd the se$ond one identifies
this rele"se "s resltin% from the de"th of one p"rtner& So " referen$e to Nrele"seN thro%h de"th
is not "t "ll nli*el) in ::2:726& 1n f"$t+ it is more li*el) th"n "n) other n"n$e+ %iven the $onte2t&
1n smm"r)+ 4d"ms nderst"nds Nrele"seN in 1 ;or& ::2:+26 to refer to divor$e+ sin$e he
$"nnot $on$eive th"t P"l !old spe"* of see*in% rele"se from " m"rri"%e thro%h de"th& 1f the
rele"se in =estion is b) divor$e+ then ::26 e2pli$itl) permits rem"rri"%e "fter divor$e& 9e h"ve
seen t!o re"sons to believe th"t divor$e is not the prim"r) me"ns of rele"se th"t P"l h"s in
mind& First+ it is not "t "ll nthin*"ble th"t someone in "n nh"pp) m"rri"%e mi%ht see* es$"pe
thro%h de"th+ perh"ps b) "%oni#in% pr")er th"t God !old end " nion th"t seems ntoler"ble&
Se$ond+ the over"ll str$tre of the p"ss"%e lin*s ::2:+26 !ith ::39740+ !here the onl) rele"se in
vie! is b) de"th& Sin$e P"l is prob"bl) thin*in% of de"th in ::2:+ ::26 does not %ive e2pli$it
permission for rem"rri"%e "fter divor$e&
9e mst remember th"t !hile see*in% es$"pe thro%h de"th is not nthin*"ble+ it is "lso not
spirit"l& P"l e2horts his re"ders+ NFo not see* rele"se&N 1n helpin% others+ !e mst *no! th"t
sometimes the) m") e2plore this "vene& For orselves+ !e shold "s* God to solve the problem
!ithin m"rri"%e+ not b) bre"*in% it&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
PART III:
APPLICATION: PRACTICAL +ATTERS
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 1*
SO+E PRACTICAL 9UESTIONS
So f"r+ this boo* h"s been te?t%"l+ not to(c"l& 9e h"ve stdied the m"(or bibli$"l te2ts de"lin%
!ith divor$e in the order in !hi$h the) !ere prob"bl) !ritten& 9e be%"n !ith te2ts+ r"ther th"n
topi$s+ be$"se of P"l3s bleprint for Bible std):
Every Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for discipline in righteousness,
that the man of God might be
O complete,
O thoroughly equipped for
every good work !" Tim. 0%$1>$A&.
Fo$trine t"*es priorit) over the more pr"$ti$"l $on$erns of reproof+ $orre$tion+ "nd dis$ipline&
9e be%in !ith do$trine+ bt !e do not stop there& 'he Bible %oes be)ond the he"d to to$h
the he"rt "nd $h"n%e the life& Be%innin% in this $h"pter+ !e !ill $on$entr"te on reproof -pointin%
ot pr"$ti$"l errors/ "nd $orre$tion -s%%estin% !")s to fi2 these problems/&
P"l "lso re=ires dis$ipline in ri%hteosness& 'his step %oes be)ond !h"t " boo* $"n
provide& S$h dis$ipline is best done in lo$"l $hr$hes+ !ith the $"rin% help of $ommitted
believers "nd the firm %id"n$e of %odl) elders&
1n this $h"pter+ !e !ill smm"ri#e the pr"$ti$"l lessons of the te2ts !e h"ve e2"mined& 'hen+
in the fin"l $h"pters of or std)+ !e !ill dis$ss =estions th"t do not %ro! dire$tl) ot of the
m"in te2ts on divor$e&
'here is not sp"$e here to tre"t ever) =estion "bot divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e& 'he onl) boo*
th"t $"n "ns!er ever) need of the hm"n he"rt is the Bible& 4n) lesser !or* $"n "t best be
sele$tive+ $on$entr"tin% on some "re"s of need bt le"vin% m"n) other =estions nto$hed&
9hen the Bible "ns!ers some of or =estions thro%h " std) li*e this one+ !e !ill be
en$or"%ed to %o to the Bible for the "ns!ers to the others "s !ell& 1f these $h"pters do not
dis$ss )or p"rti$l"r =estion+ ple"se $onsider it "n Ne2er$ise for the stdent+N "nd t"*e it
dire$tl) to the S$riptres&
'he "ns!ers to some pr"$ti$"l =estions "re impli$it in the p"ss"%es !e h"ve "lre"d) stdied&
1n this $h"pter+ !e revie! !h"t !e h"ve le"rned "bot five s$h =estions:
1s divor$e ever (stifiedH
M") divor$ed people rem"rr)H
M") " divor$ed $ople be re$on$iledH
4re m"rri"%es bet!een believers "nd nbelievers bindin%H
;"n m"rri"%e problems be Nnder the bloodNH
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'he ne2t three $h"pters $onsider "ddition"l =estions th"t "re not dire$tl) "ddressed in the
Jdivor$eK p"ss"%es+ bt for !hi$h other S$riptres %ive %id"n$e&
1*.1 I' D1orce E1er 6%'tfe#0
M"rri"%e nites t!o people more intim"tel) th"n does "n) other hm"n rel"tionship& Gver)thin%
th"t one p"rtner does "ffe$ts the other& 'he) $"n $le"rl) see one "nother3s f"lts+ "nd "re often
hrt !hen those f"lts frstr"te their o!n desires& M"rri"%e $onfronts s !ith or o!n
selfishness "nd imm"trit)& 1t %ives the most pr"$ti$"l eviden$e one $old !"nt th"t Nthe he"rt is
de$eitfl "bove "ll thin%s+ "nd in$r"bleN -Ler& 1::9/&
M"rri"%e problems differ in their $omple2it)+ "nd $oples differ in their m"trit) "nd "bilit)
to !or* ot dis"%reements& Most f"milies $"n h"ndle most of the problems th"t "rise+ either b)
themselves or !ith the help of friends "nd $onselors+ bt sometimes " $ople en$onters "
problem th"t e2h"sts these resor$es& 1t is then th"t the =estion "rises+ N1s it time for "
divor$eHN
For believers+ the "ns!er to th"t =estion is "l!")s+ N@o&N 9e h"ve e2"mined ever) p"ss"%e
in the Bible th"t is $ommonl) $ited to e2$se divor$e& @one spports th"t $on$lsion&
Moses never le%isl"tes divor$e+ bt onl) tells people !h"t to do on$e it h"ppens -"s !e
s"! in ;h"pter 5/&
God3s sep"r"tion from 1sr"el -see ;h"pter : / does not rele"se the p"rtners from the
m"rri"%e+ bt is " prelde le"din% either to e2e$tion or to re$on$ili"tion&
G#r"3s m"ssive sep"r"tion of f"milies -$onsidered in ;h"pter 6 / %ives no pre$edent for
divor$e+ be$"se the rel"tion in vie! is not fll m"rri"%e&
'he Ne2$eption $l"seN in the Cord3s te"$hin% in M"tthe! -de"lt !ith in ;h"pters 9711 /
refers to endin% " m"rri"%e+ not b) divor$e+ bt b) $"pit"l pnishment&
'he NP"line Privile%eN of sep"r"tion from "n nbelievin% spose -stdied in ;h"pter
12 / does not rele"se the believer from the m"rri"%e+ bt onl) from $ert"in of its
obli%"tions+ "nd in "n) $"se is never initi"ted b) the believer&
Some h"ve s%%ested th"t $ert"in e2treme $ir$mst"n$es+ s$h "s ph)si$"l "bse in " f"mil)+
m") permit " believer to see* " divor$e& ;h"pter 15 !ill e2"mine this spe$ifi$ sit"tion& For no!+
it is eno%h to note th"t the Bible never e2pli$itl) "thori#es " believer to see* " divor$e&
9h"t+ then+ "re people to do !ith their problemsH 9h"t h"ppens !hen " $ople $"nnot "%ree+
!hen their f"mil) $"nnot help+ !hen the $onsel of friends is ineffe$tiveH 9h"t h"ppens !hen
ever) resor$e is e2h"stedH 'he Bible e2horts them to loo* "%"in& 'here is one resor$e th"t is
never e2h"sted 0 God+ !ith !hom Nnothin% sh"ll be impossibleN -C*e 1:3:/& M"n) believers
rn "!") from mir"$les& 'he) s") th"t God $"n do the impossible+ bt tr) ver) h"rd to s"ve him
the troble b) t"*in% m"tters into their o!n h"nds&
;ert"inl)+ !e "re not to set p impossible sit"tions to tempt God into " mir"$le& 'he Cord
est"blishes this prin$iple !hen he refses to smmon "n "n%eli$ p"r"$hte b) (mpin% off the
temple pinn"$le& Bt !hen impossible sit"tions do "rise+ !e shold not tr) to bend the !ord of
God to $re"te "n es$"pe& 1nste"d+ !e shold trn to God in $onfession "nd repent"n$e+ "nd e2pe$t
him to intervene&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
God $"n s"ve "n nbelievin% spose& ,e $"n $h"n%e " m"te3s b"d h"bits -or or o!n+ if th"t is
!here the problem lies/& 1n trl) impossible $"ses+ he $"n end " m"rri"%e inst"ntl)+ b) t"*in% one
p"rtner "!")& Gver) believer !ill "%ree th"t God $"n do these thin%s& 1f he $hooses not to+ !e "re
h"rdl) (stified in t"*in% m"tters into or o!n h"nds "nd pttin% "snder those !hom God h"s
(oined to%ether&
1*.$ +"2 D1orce# Peo(le Rem"rr20
'he Bible never "thori#es divor$e& >et divor$e h"ppens+ thro%h the initi"tive of nbelievers or
of mis%ided believers& 4fter!"rds+ the p"rtners sometimes !ish to m"rr) others& M") the)H
1n ;h"pter 10+ !e s"! th"t the Cord Less forbids rem"rri"%e "fter divor$e& 'he st"tements
preserved in M"r* "nd C*e "re n"mbi%os& 1n M"tthe!+ the Cord ="lifies his te"$hin%& 8n
the b"sis of this ="lifi$"tion+ some believers "llo! rem"rri"%e in $"ses of infidelit)&
8r std) of the C"! of Moses in ;h"pter 4 illmin"tes the Cord3s !ords in M"tthe!&
Forni$"tion does "llo! rem"rri"%e !ithot "dlter)+ bt onl) be$"se e2e$tion of the %ilt)
p"rtner bre"*s the m"rri"%e bond "nd le"ves the other free to rem"rr)+ "s !e s"! in ;h"pter 9
1n 1 ;or& ::15+ P"l !rites+
(ut if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. The brother or sister is not enslaved in such cases.
M"n) people h"ve s%%ested th"t s$h desertion le"ves the believin% p"rtner free to rem"rr)& 8r
std) of this te2t "nd its $onte2t -in ;h"pter 12/ sho!s th"t this $on$lsion is nfonded& P"l
does re$o%ni#e th"t the believer is free from $ert"in obli%"tions th"t m"rri"%e s"ll) brin%s&
,o!ever+ he $"refll) "voids vo$"bl"r) th"t he else!here ses to des$ribe the end of "
m"rri"%e& 'he $ople is still one in God3s e)es+ "nd rem"rri"%e !old be "dlter)&
1n sm+ there is no bibli$"l (stifi$"tion for " divor$ed person to rem"rr) !hile the ori%in"l
p"rtner rem"ins "live&
1*.* +"2 " D1orce# Co%(le be Reco!cle#0
4fter " divor$e+ the p"rtners m") repent "nd desire to restore their home& 'heir t"s* !ill not be
"n e"s) one+ for the problems th"t drove them "p"rt !ill prob"bl) srf"$e "s soon "s the) "re
to%ether "%"in& Still+ if the) h"ve not m"rried others drin% their sep"r"tion+ the) shold be
en$or"%ed to renite& Before God+ the) "re m"n "nd !ife+ "nd the) f"il in their responsibilities
not onl) to one "nother bt "lso to him b) rem"inin% "p"rt&
'he) m") not simpl) be%in livin% to%ether+ for "s ;hristi"ns the) "re to be sb(e$t to the $ivil
"thorities -.om"ns 13/+ in !hose e)es the) "re no lon%er m"rried& 'he) shold be le%"ll)
rem"rried+ "nd then %et on !ith the bsiness of bildin% " ;hristi"n home&
'he sit"tion is different !hen one p"rtner or the other h"s m"rried someone else sin$e the
divor$e& 'he most dire$t bibli$"l te"$hin% on the m"tter is Feteronom) 24+ !hi$h forbids "n)
renion of the ori%in"l $ople& 1n this $"se+ the) shold loo* to the Cord for %r"$e to rem"in
$elib"te "s lon% "s the) both live&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1*.5 Are +"rr",e' bet:ee! -ele1er' "!# U!bele1er' -!#!,0
Both the 8ld 'est"ment "nd the @e! 'est"ment prohibit m"rri"%es bet!een believers "nd
nbelievers& G#r" 9 "nd 10 sho! th"t s$h nions $old be dissolved in the 8ld 'est"ment+ bt
P"l3s instr$tion in 1 ;orinthi"ns : indi$"tes th"t+ nder the ne! $oven"nt+ believers shold not
le"ve their nbelievin% sposes&
9e le"rned the re"son for this differen$e in ;h"pter 6
4 le%itim"te m"rri"%e re=ires $ivil re$o%nition& 1n 1sr"el+ $ivil "nd s"$red l"! "re one "nd
the s"me& 'h"t l"! forbids mi2ed m"rri"%es+ so the) "re not bindin%& 'od")+ God h"s sep"r"ted
$ivil %overnment -the st"te/ from spirit"l %overnment -the $hr$h/& 'he $hr$h prohibits mi2ed
m"rri"%es+ "nd shold dis$ipline its members if the) enter them+ bt the m"rri"%es themselves "re
bindin% if the st"te "llo!s them&
1*.8 C"! +"rr",e Problem' be FU!#er the -loo#G0
1n dis$ssions of divor$e+ one $ommonl) he"rs the =estion+ NFid the divor$e Y"dlter)+
rem"rri"%e+ forni$"tion+ et$&Z h"ppen before or "fter he !"s s"vedHN Some people feel th"t s$h
sins+ if the) h"ppen before s"lv"tion+ "re Nnder the bloodN "nd do not "ffe$t l"ter de$isions& For
e2"mple+ it is often s%%ested th"t " divor$ed !om"n !ho is l"ter s"ved m") rem"rr)& 8r "
$hr$h m") e2$lde divor$ed "nd rem"rried people from positions of $hr$h le"dership "nd
prominent servi$e+ bt m"*e e2$eptions for people !ho !ere s"ved "fter the) sinned&
S$h "r%ments $onfse the ,%lt of sin !ith its co!'eA%e!ce'& Sin h"s t!o effe$ts77one th"t
"ffe$ts or rel"tionship !ith God+ "nd one th"t "ffe$ts s priv"tel) "nd in rel"tion to other people&
S"lv"tion removes the first effe$t immedi"tel)+ bt not the se$ond&
For e2"mple+ drn*enness is " sin& 1t e2$ldes " person from the *in%dom of God -1 ;or&
5:10/& 1t "lso destro)s the bod)+ b) poisonin% the liver "nd other or%"ns& 4n) drn*"rd !ho
!ishes to $ome to God m") be s"ved b) repentin%+ fors"*in% his sin+ "nd re$eivin% Less ;hrist&
'he %ilt+ the rel"tionship of enmit) bet!een the person "nd God+ is %one immedi"tel)& Bt the
ph)si$"l d"m"%e of sin m") persist ntil the Nredemption of the bod)N "t the retrn of Less
;hrist -.om& 6:23/&
'he $onse=en$es of sin m") in$lde liver dise"se for "n "l$oholi$+ h"ll$in"tions for " dr%
"bser+ venere"l dise"se for " li$entios person+ or "n ines$"p"ble bond of m"rri"%e for "
divor$ed person& P"l is spe"*in% of these $onse=en$es of sin !hen he !rites+
(e not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, that shall he also reap. For he who
sows to his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption !Gal. 1%A,E&.
God does not promise deliver"n$e from these $onse=en$es drin% the present "%e&
;onsider the impli$"tions if rem"rri"%e !ere permitted for divor$es th"t t"*e pl"$e before
s"lv"tion bt not for those th"t t"*e pl"$e "fter!"rd& 9e !old h"ve to $on$lde th"t s"lv"tion
not onl) for%ives the sin+ bt "lso dissolves " previosl) e2istin% m"rri"%e bond& 'hen !e !old
h"ve to $on$lde th"t ever) $ople !ho is m"rried before s"lv"tion shold rem"rr) "fter+ "nd
there is no eviden$e in the Bible th"t e"rl) ;hristi"ns did "n)thin% "t "ll li*e this& M"n) thin%s
$h"n%e !hen one be$omes " believer& M"rit"l st"ts 0 m"rried+ sin%le+ !ido!ed+ divor$ed 0 is
not one of them&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
M"rit"l sin in$rs %ilt to!"rd God+ %ilt th"t is $ompletel) removed !hen " person trns in
repent"n$e "nd f"ith to the Cord Less& M"rit"l sin "lso h"s ver) pr"$ti$"l $onse=en$es for or
rel"tionships !ith other people& 'he Bible no!here te"$hes th"t those $onse=en$es dis"ppe"r
"tom"ti$"ll) !hen someone is s"ved&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
M"r* " sheet of p"per into ro!s "nd $olmns& C"bel the ro!s !ith the referen$es of the p"ss"%es
th"t !e stdied in the e"rlier $h"pters& C"bel the $olmns !ith pr"$ti$"l =estions "bot divor$e
"nd rem"rri"%e& >o mi%ht in$lde the =estions !e dis$ss in this $h"pter+ =estions from some
of the l"ter $h"pters+ or =estions of )or o!n th"t this boo* does not $over& 'hen tr) to fill in
e"$h blo$* on the p"%e !ith the $ontribtion th"t the p"ss"%e in th"t ro! m"*es to "ns!erin% the
=estion in th"t $olmn& ;"n )o thin* of other p"ss"%es+ not dis$ssed in this boo*+ th"t help
"ns!er some of )or =estionsH
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CHAPTER 15
SHOULD SECOND +ARRIA)ES -E DISSOLVED0
1t is "dlter) for " divor$ed person to m"rr) someone else !hile the previos spose is still
livin%& Some people m") le"rn this te"$hin% "fter "lre"d) bein% divor$ed "nd rem"rried& 9h"t
does God e2pe$t of them no!H ;ert"inl)+ the) shold $onfess their sin "nd repent of it& 'he) !ill
be $"refl never to repe"t it& 'he) m") !onder+ tho%h+ !hether the) "re not $ontin"ll)
repe"tin% it b) rem"inin% in the se$ond m"rri"%e& 4fter "ll+ if the first nion still st"nds before
God+ perh"ps the se$ond one $"n never be more th"n "n "dlteros "ff"ir in his e)es& Shold the)
see* to dissolve the se$ond f"mil) to "void livin% in sinH
M"n) devot believers do $onsel divor$ed "nd rem"rried people to end their se$ond nions&
'he) b"se this "dvi$e on the re"sonin% !e h"ve (st otlined+ "nd sometimes bttress it !ith
"r%ments from the Cord3s e"rthl) te"$hin% "nd .om& ::3& 9e !ill e2"mine
the "r%ment b"sed on the Gospels
"nd th"t from .om"ns :+
then "s* ho! the "dvi$e to le"ve se$ond sposes fits in !ith the rest of the Bible+
"nd fin"ll) dis$ss " fi$titios $"se histor) to illstr"te the pr"$ti$"l $onse=en$es of the
t!o vie!s&
15.1 Wh"t #o the )o'(el' S"2 "bo%t the Seco!# +"rr",e0
1n "ll for Gospel te2ts on divor$e+ the Cord ses " verb in the present tense to des$ribe the
"dlter) of rem"rri"%e& Gree* liter"tre often ses this tense to emph"si#e $ontinos "$tion& 1f
the present tense in these verses served this fn$tion+ the verses !old te"$h th"t the "dlter) of "
rem"rri"%e is " $ontinin% st"te+ not (st " sin%le "$tion+ "nd the se$ond m"rri"%e !old h"ve to
end&
'he Gree* present tense does not "l!")s indi$"te $ontinos "$tion& Sometimes it indi$"tes
th"t the "$tion is !h"t one !old s"ll) e2pe$t in the $ir$mst"n$es& 'his s"%e is $ommon in
st"tements of %ener"l trths+ s$h "s proverbs or le%"l pronon$ements&
For e2"mple+ ,eb& 3:4 ses the present tense: NGver) hose is bilt b) someone&N 'he !riter
does not me"n th"t somebod) is $ontin"ll) "$tive in $onstr$tin% ever) hose+ "s tho%h the
bildin% pro$ess !ere never $ompleted& 'he present tense here me"ns th"t+ "s " %ener"l trth+ if
)o see " hose+ )o $"n "ssme th"t someone bilt it&
'he %ener"l present "lso "ppe"rs in 1 ;or& 15:42744&
So also is the resurrection of the dead.
't is sown in corruptionH it is raised in incorruption.
't is sown in dishonorH it is raised in glory.
't is sown in weaknessH it is raised in power.
't is sown a soulish bodyH it is raised a spiritual body.
'he present tense in the verbs Nso!nN "nd Nr"isedN does not indi$"te th"t bein% so!n -or bried/
"nd r"ised "re $ontin"l "$tions& 4$t"ll)+ P"l is des$ribin% them "s sin%le+ !ell7defined events&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
,e ses the present tense to emph"si#e th"t it is " %ener"l+ timeless trth th"t bri"l refle$ts
$orrption+ dishonor+ "nd !e"*ness+ !hile resrre$tion sho!s in$orrption+ %lor)+ "nd po!er&
1n the notes+ !e %ive te$hni$"l re"sons for nderst"ndin% the present tense of the verbs in the
Cord3s te"$hin% "bot divor$e "s %ener"l r"ther th"n $ontin"l& 'he tense does not emph"si#e th"t
" se$ond m"rri"%e is $ontin"l "dlter)+ bt identifies the te"$hin% "s " %ener"l st"tement "bot
divor$e+ rem"rri"%e+ "nd "dlter)+ " st"tement th"t is tre re%"rdless of the det"ils of ho! the
divor$e or rem"rri"%e t"*es pl"$e& 'hs these p"ss"%es do not prove th"t the "dlter) of
rem"rri"%e is $ontin"l&
15.$ Wh"t #oe' Rom. D:* S"2 "bo%t the Seco!# +"rr",e0
'o some re"ders+ .om& ::173 s%%ests th"t it is "dlter) to $ontine in " se$ond m"rri"%e
"fter divor$e& 'r"nsl"tions s$h "s the 4E+ the @GB+ "nd the .SE espe$i"ll) en$or"%e this
vie!& For e2"mple+ the 4E renders the p"ss"%e+
4now ye not, brethren, !for ' speak to them that know the law,& how that the law hath dominion over
a man as long as he livethG For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her
husband so long as he livethH but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So
then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress.
'he Gn%lish phr"se Nbe m"rried to "nother m"nN is "mbi%os& 1t mi%ht me"n either Nenter
into "nother m"rri"%eN or Nbe in "nother m"rri"%e&N 1f it me"ns+ Nbe in "nother m"rri"%e+N then
$ontinin% in " se$ond m"rri"%e "fter divor$e !old be "dlter)+ "nd se$ond m"rri"%es shold be
dissolved to "void this $ontinin% "dlter)& 1f it me"ns+ Jenter into "nother m"rri"%e+K then the
sin $onsists in the "$t of rem"rr)in%+ not the st"te of bein% rem"rried+ "nd there "re no %ronds
for dissolvin% the se$ond m"rri"%e&
P"l %ives s "n import"nt $le to interpretin% this p"r"%r"ph !hen he tells s th"t he is
!ritin% to those !ho *no! the C"!& ,e is not presentin% ne! te"$hin%+ bt merel) emph"si#in%
!h"t the C"! of Moses "lre"d) re=ires& ,e $hooses his l"n%"%e to brin% to mind the 8ld
'est"ment l"!s th"t %overn "dlter)&
8ne e2"mple of this emph"sis on 8ld 'est"ment l"n%"%e is the phr"se th"t des$ribes the
!om"n in .om& ::2+ N!hi$h h"th " hsb"nd&N 'his phr"se tr"nsl"tes the Gree* !ord hupandros+
liter"ll) Nnder " hsb"nd+N !hi$h is sed in the Gree* tr"nsl"tion of the $"noni$"l 8ld
'est"ment boo*s onl) "t @m& 5:20& 'here it des$ribes " !om"n !ho is "$$sed of "dlter)&
Be$"se she is Nnder " hsb"nd+N she is %ilt) if she $onsorts !ith someone else& B) sin% this
r"re !ord in .om& ::2+ P"l $"lls to mind the l"! of the "dlter) tri"l in @mbers 5&
'he phr"se Nbe m"rried to "nother m"nN is "nother $it"tion from the 8'& 1t is " pre$ise
=ot"tion from the Sept"%int of Fet& 24:2+ !hi$h des$ribes !h"t " !om"n divor$ed from "
m"n is ver) li*el) to do& She is li*el) to rem"rr)+ to enter into "nother nion& 9e s"! in ;h"pter
5 th"t Moses does not e2$se her "$tion+ bt $onsiders her NdefiledN "s " reslt of it+ "nd e2pe$ts
the ori%in"l hsb"nd to prose$te her for infidelit)& 1n Fet& 24:2 the phr"se emph"si#es enterin%
the se$ond nion+ "nd !e shold t"*e it the s"me !") in .om& ::3&
'he Gree* verb Nto beN th"t the Sept"%int "nd P"l se in this e2pression stren%thens this
$on$lsion& Gree* h"s t!o verbs th"t the Bible $ommonl) renders Nto be&N 8ne des$ribes "bstr"$t
e2isten$e& 'he other+ the one+ sed here+ is $loser to the Gn%lish verb Nto be$ome+N "nd
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emph"si#es " $h"n%e from one st"te to "nother& 1f P"l me"nt to te"$h th"t the st"te of rem"rri"%e
-"s opposed to its initi"tion/ is "dlter)+ !e !old e2pe$t him to se the other verb& 'he verb he
does se+ "s !ell "s the sor$e of the entire phr"se in the Pent"te$h+ $onfirms th"t P"l is
$ondemnin% the "$t of enterin% the se$ond m"rri"%e+ r"ther th"n des$ribin% the st"te of bein% in
th"t m"rri"%e&
15.* Wh"t Pr!c(le' c"! :e )le"! from Other Scr(t%re'0
8r std) of the divor$e s")in% in the Gospels "nd in .om"ns : sho!s th"t it is sinfl for
divor$ed people to enter into " se$ond m"rri"%e& 1s it "lso sinfl for them to $ontine in s$h "
rel"tionH 9hen people in this $ir$mst"n$e repent+ shold the) end their nionH
9e h"ve seen th"t the verses s"ll) $ited to r%e s$h sep"r"tion do not $"rr) the !ei%ht
pl"$ed pon them& 8ther s$riptr"l eviden$e s%%ests th"t sep"r"tion is not the "ns!er in s$h "
sit"tion& 9e !ill $onsider the %ener"l bibli$"l "ttitde to!"rd the m"rri"%e $oven"nt+ the
bibli$"l tre"tment of pol)%"m)+ "nd P"l3s instr$tion in 1 ;orinthi"ns :&
15.*.1 +"rr",e ! the -ble
9e h"ve seen over "nd over ho! hi%hl) God v"les the m"rri"%e nion& 1f " se$ond nion "fter
divor$e is " m"rri"%e+ it sh"res this hi%h position& 9e n"tr"ll) e2pe$t th"t if God !"nts s$h
nions dissolved+ he !ill s") so e2pli$itl)& Bt the S$riptres never $omm"nd th"t se$ond
m"rri"%es be dissolved& So !e shold be $"tios "bot dem"ndin% their sep"r"tion&
'he $r$i"l lin* in this "r%ment is the st"tement+ N1F " se$ond nion "fter divor$e is "
m"rri"%e&N 'hose !ho r%e sep"r"tion believe th"t it is not " m"rri"%e+ bt "dlter)& 9e h"ve
seen th"t the Gospel p"ss"%es "nd .om"ns : do not spport this $on$lsion& 1n f"$t+ the Cord3s
!ords in the Gospels e2pli$itl) des$ribe the nion "s " m"rri"%e& 'he) se the Gree* !ord for
Nm"rr)N to des$ribe the se$ond nions of both the hsb"nd "nd !ife from the first m"rri"%e&
'he verb Nto m"rr)N in these verses mi%ht refer onl) to the hm"n $stom+ !ithot impl)in% th"t
God re$o%ni#es the nion& 1n the notes to ;h"pter 12 !e s"! th"t "nother m"rri"%e term+ the
"d(e$tive Nnm"rried+N $"n me"n Nnm"rried so f"r "s people "re $on$erned+N "nd "ppl) to people
!hom God still $onsiders (oined to%ether& 'here is " differen$e+ tho%h+ bet!een bein% se$l"rl)
m"rried "nd se$l"rl) divor$ed& 9e s"! in ;h"pter 3 th"t God (oins people to%ether !hen there
is ph)si$"l nion in the $onte2t of " $ommitment to live to%ether "s m"n "nd !ife "nd in *eepin%
!ith the re=irements of $ivil %overnment& 'hs+ those !ho enter " se$l"r m"rri"%e "re (oined
before God "s !ell& God never s"n$tions sep"r"tion+ so " divor$e $"n onl) be se$l"r& 'here is
s$h " thin% "s prel) se$l"r sep"r"tion+ bt !e h"ve no re"son to thin* th"t there is s$h " thin%
"s prel) se$l"r m"rri"%e&
'!o points "re $le"r&
1& 'he S$riptres $"ll se$ond nions m"rri"%es&
2& 'he S$riptres never dem"nd+ or even "thori#e+ sep"r"tion of " m"rri"%e !hile the
p"rtners live&
1f !e re=ire termin"tion of se$ond nions+ !e %o be)ond the te"$hin% of the Bible+ "nd
possibl) $ontr"di$t it&
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15.*.$ The Pl"ce of Pol2,"m2
4 first m"rri"%e is -of $orse/ m"rri"%e& 'ho%h people m") see* to end it b) divor$e+ God does
not re$o%ni#e their "$tion& 4 se$ond m"rri"%e is "lso m"rri"%e+ "$$ordin% to the Gospels& 1t is
n"tr"l to $on$lde th"t people !ho "re divor$ed "nd rem"rried "re re"ll) m"rried to t!o people&
1n 1 'im& 3:2+12P 5:9 P"l spe"*s of men !ho "re Nhsb"nds of one !ifeN "nd !omen !ho
"re N!ives of one hsb"nd&N 'hese e2pressions re$o%ni#e the possibilit) th"t " person $old be
m"rried to more th"n one person "t " time+ "t le"st from God3s perspe$tive& 4s !e !ill dis$ss in
;h"pter 15 the referen$e is prob"bl) to mltiple m"tes thro%h divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e&
.em"rri"%e pl"$es one person in t!o m"rri"%e bonds+ "nd ths $"n be vie!ed "s " *ind of
pol)%"m) -or pol)"ndr)+ if " divor$ed !om"n rem"rries/& 'he 8ld 'est"ment h"s m$h to s")
"bot pol)%"m)&
'he 8ld 'est"ment re$o%ni#es pol)%"mos nions& 4s !e s"! in ;h"pter 6 even
nions !ith $on$bines "re not to be dissolved $"s"ll)+ "nd the p"tri"r$hs3 mltiple
!ives $le"rl) represent nions sperior to $on$bin"%e&
'he 8ld 'est"ment never $omm"nds pol)%"m)&
1n f"$t+ the 8ld 'est"ment dis"pproves of pol)%"m)& 'he m"rri"%e God ord"ins for
4d"m "nd Gve is not pol)%"mos& 'he hmor in the stor) of L"$ob "nd his t!o !ives
-Genesis 30/ sho!s the !riter3s s$orn of s$h "rr"n%ements& Moses !"rns "%"inst
pol)%"mos *in%s -Fet& 1::1:/+ "nd the histori"n e2pressl) tr"$es the do!nf"ll of
Solomon3s *in%dom to his m"n) !ives -1 Din%s 11/&
>et the 8ld 'est"ment never $omm"nds th"t pol)%"mos nions be dissolved&
4pp"rentl)+ on$e the) be%in+ the) impose responsibilities on their members (st "s "n)
other m"rri"%e !old&
Mono%"m) is not "n invention of ;hristi"nit)+ or "n ori%in"l ide" in the @e! 'est"ment& 1t is
the te"$hin% of the entire Bible& Simil"rl)+ both 'est"ments toler"te pol)%"m)& 'he @e!
'est"ment never $omm"nds th"t pol)%"mos nions be dissolved -!hether the) reslt from
e2pli$it pol)%"m)+ or from divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e/&
15.*.* The E1#e!ce of 1 Cor!th"!' D
'he problem of divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e is not ne!& Moses %ives le%isl"tion to $ontrol it in
Feteronom) 24+ sho!in% th"t some 1sr"elites of his time "re divor$ed "nd rem"rried& 'he isse
does not dis"ppe"r in the @e! 'est"ment+ for the Cord "ddresses it in his te"$hin% in the
Gospels& 9e $"n im"%ine th"t the problem is espe$i"ll) "$te in the Gentile $hr$hes of Gree$e
"nd 4si" Minor+ !here the Bible3s hi%h vie! of m"rri"%e is in tension !ith the immor"lit) of
p"%"n $ltre&
9hen !e $onsider ho! !idespre"d the problem is+ !e trn n"tr"ll) to 1 ;orinthi"ns :& 'he
;orinthi"n believers vie! $elib"$) "s intrinsi$"ll) %ood+ "nd propose dissolvin% their e2istin%
m"rri"%es& P"l tells them th"t the) mst not divor$e+ or even fore%o norm"l m"rit"l rel"tions&
'he onl) e2$eption he "llo!s is sep"r"tion from bed "nd bo"rd if "n nbelievin% spose le"ves&
1f bein% involved in " se$ond m"rri"%e is %ronds for divor$e+ !e !old e2pe$t him to s") so&
1n 1 ;orinthi"ns :+ P"l does not r%e sep"r"tion from " se$ond m"rri"%e& ,is silen$e is
si%nifi$"nt+ sin$e he is !ritin% "bot sep"r"tion to people !hose $ltre re"dil) "llo!s divor$e
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"nd rem"rri"%e& Some ;orinthi"n believers m") !ell be m"rried to divor$ed people& Gven if the)
"re not+ this $"se is li*el) to "rise in the loose mor"lit) of ;orinth+ "nd !e e2pe$t P"l to
"nti$ip"te it "nd de"l !ith it& 1n f"$t+ P"l does not m"*e this $"se "n e2$eption from his %ener"l
rle th"t the believer+ !hether m"rried to "n nbeliever or to "nother believer+ mst not see*
divor$e&
1 ;orinthi"ns :+ more th"n "n) other $h"pter in the Bible+ seems t"ilor7m"de for instr$tion
"bot endin% se$ond m"rri"%es& Gven here+ P"l reinfor$es the bibli$"l stri$tres "%"inst m"rit"l
sep"r"tion& @either he nor "n) other bibli$"l !riter $omm"nds divor$e in these $"ses& 9e shold
$ert"inl) hesit"te to %o be)ond their e2"mple&
15.5 A Fctto%' C"'e H'tor2
8ne stron% motive for endin% se$ond m"rri"%es is "n interest in promotin% %odl) $ond$t& 'o
nderst"nd "nd ev"l"te this motive+ !e $onsider " h)potheti$"l e2"mple&
15.5.1 A! Ar,%me!t for E!#!, Seco!# +"rr",e'
4ssme th"t Lim divor$es L"ne+ "nd she l"ter f"lls in love !ith Bob& L"ne professes f"ith in
;hrist+ "nd nderst"nds th"t it !old be "dlter) for her to m"rr) Bob !hile Lim is still "live&
'he t!o positions nder dis$ssion in this $h"pter mi%ht h"ve ver) different effe$ts on L"ne&
Sppose she believes th"t the "dlter) of the se$ond m"rri"%e $onsists in enterin% th"t
m"rri"%e+ "nd th"t on$e the m"rri"%e is est"blished+ it is v"lid in God3s e)es& She mi%ht re"son+
N13ll %o "he"d+ sin on$e+ "nd m"rr) Bob& 8n$e !e3re to%ether+ no one $"n sep"r"te s& 'hen 1 !ill
$onfess m) sin+ God !ill for%ive me+ "nd 13ll h"ve Bob&N
1f+ on the other h"nd+ she believes th"t $ontinin% in the se$ond m"rri"%e is "dlter)+ she $"n
never s"lve her $ons$ien$e !ith the tho%ht+ N13ll (st sin this on$e&N She $"n never be ri%ht !ith
God ntil she le"ves the "dlteros rel"tionship&
1t seems th"t te"$hin% th"t se$ond m"rri"%es shold be dissolved mi%ht help *eep people li*e
L"ne ot of sin&
15.5.$ P"%l&' Ve: of " Sml"r Ar,%me!t
'he "r%ment is pl"sible+ bt it h"s " =estion"ble pedi%ree& P"l meets the s"me ob(e$tion to
his te"$hin% of s"lv"tion b) %r"$e "p"rt from !or*s in the e"rl) $h"pters of .om"ns& N1f )o
te"$h people th"t God3s %r"$e s"ves them in spite of their sin+N his opponents insist+ Npeople !ill
(st *eep on sinnin%&N P"l smm"ri#es their "r%ment in these !ords: NSh"ll !e $ontine in sin+
th"t %r"$e m") "bondHN -.om& 5:2/& 1n other !ords+ his te"$hin% is sspe$t be$"se it m"*es it
too e"s) for people to sin&
P"l does not !"nt people to $ontine in sin+ bt he does not $h"n%e his te"$hin%+ either& ,is
response o$$pies the ne2t three $h"pters of .om"ns& 1n them he insists th"t "n)one !ho !old
t"*e "dv"nt"%e of God3s %r"$e to $ontine in sin+ sho!s b) his sin th"t he h"s not re"ll) re$eived
God3s %r"$e& N,o! sh"ll !e+ !ho died to sin+ live "n) lon%er in itHN -.om& 5:2/&
P"l3s response "pplies to L"ne "s !ell& L"ne m") profess s"lv"tion+ bt if she presmes pon
the %r"$e of God "nd de$ides to sin N(st this on$eN to %et Bob+ she sho!s " s"d l"$* of
nderst"ndin% of the b"si$ %ospel& She m") pl"n l"ter to trn b"$* to God+ bt there is no
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"ssr"n$e th"t he !ill re$eive her& ,er s$hemin% !ill prob"bl) le"d to fei%ned repent"n$e th"t
$"nnot !in his for%iveness+ not to %odl) sorro! "nd $ontrition& ,er !ilfl sin s%%ests th"t she is
not trl) s"ved to be%in !ith& ,o!+ then+ $"n she e2pe$t God3s mer$) if she deliber"tel)
tr"ns%resses his l"!H 'he $hr$h shold de"l !ith her+ not b) "d(stin% its do$trine on pr"%m"ti$
%ronds+ bt b) solemnl) !"rnin% her of the impli$"tions of her "ttitde+ "nd b) dis$iplinin% her
if she persists in her pl"n&
15.5.* U!e?(ecte# Co!'eA%e!ce'
1t3s import"nt to !"rn L"ne th"t even if God does for%ive her Nsin%le sin+N its $onse=en$es m")
persist for )e"rs& NGod is not mo$*ed& 9h"tever " person so!s+ th"t sh"ll he "lso re"pN -G"l&
5::/& She m") be n"ble to es$"pe the n"%%in% of " %ilt) $ons$ien$e& 1f Bob is !illin% to
$ooper"te !ith her rebellion+ he $ert"inl) is not fit to le"d her spirit"ll)+ "nd she $"nnot e2pe$t "
;hristi"n home& ,er $hildren !ill prob"bl) find her sinfl e2"mple more for$efl th"n her
ri%hteos protest"tions+ "nd she !ill live to morn their rebellion& She m") e2pe$t smooth s"ilin%
on$e p"st Nthe sin%le sin+N bt God3s h"rvest l"! !"rns of reper$ssions "t le"st "s "!fl "s the
notion of $ontined "dlter) "dv"n$ed b) those !ho !old r%e " se$ond divor$e&
1n f"$t+ the pr"$ti$"l $onse=en$es of rem"rri"%e "re in some !")s even %r"ver if !e $onsider
the se$ond m"rri"%e v"lid th"n if !e dem"nd its termin"tion& 4s " v"lid m"rri"%e+ it $"n be ended
in God3s e)es onl) b) de"th& 9ith the sinfl fond"tion she is l")in% for it+ she $"n e2pe$t onl)
nh"ppiness "nd strife in it& >et there !ill be no es$"pe from it th"t does not sin* her even deeper
in sin& 'he d") !ill $ome !hen she !ill !ish !ith "ll her he"rt th"t she !ere free of it+ "nd she
!ill re her r"shness in see*in% to press be)ond None little sinN to the s"t"ni$ promise of
rem"rried bliss&
15.5.5 Ho: to +ot1"te )o#l!e''
'he $hr$h mst e2hort its members to %odliness+ bt not b) inventin% ns$riptr"l do$trines& 1t
shold te"$h God3s "bsolte holiness "nd h"tred of sin+ the foll) of tr)in% to Nslip one overN on
him+ "nd the $ert"in d"n%er of re"pin% !h"t !e so! even if God does for%ive s& 1t shold !"rn
th"t Nf"ith !ithot !or*s is de"dN -L"mes 2:20+25/+ "nd th"t !ilfl+ deliber"te sin spe"*s loder
th"n the most pios profession of belief& 1t shold be re"d) to b"$* p its te"$hin% !ith
dis$ipline& 'hen it !ill see in$re"se in %odliness+ not onl) in m"rit"l prit)+ bt in ever) "re" of
pr"$ti$"l piet)&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t *inds of "$tion mi%ht the present tense of the verb N$ommit "dlter)N represent in
the Gospel te2ts+ "nd !h"t impli$"tions !old e"$h *ind of "$tion h"ve for the =estion
of se$ond m"rri"%esH
2& 9hi$h *ind of "$tion do )o thin* the verb represents+ "nd !h)H
3& 9h"t phr"se in .om& ::3 mi%ht me"n th"t se$ond m"rri"%es shold be dissolvedH
4& 9h"t eviden$e is there th"t it does not me"n thisH
5& Given the %ener"l te"$hin% of the Bible "bot m"rri"%e+ !h"t !old )o $on$lde
"bot se$ond m"rri"%esH
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5& Ple"se $omp"re the te"$hin% of the 8ld 'est"ment !ith the te"$hin% of the @e!
'est"ment on mono%"m) "nd pol)%"m)&
:& 9h"t does 1 ;orinthi"ns : $ontribte to the =estion of dissolvin% se$ond m"rri"%esH
6& 1s one position on this =estion more li*el) to promote %odliness th"n the otherH Ple"se
dis$ss&
NOTES
15.8 The Pre'e!t Te!'e: )e!er"l or Co!t!%o%'0
Both the s)nt"2 of the verses "nd their bro"der $onte2t s%%est th"t !e shold interpret the
present tense of N$ommitN in the Gospel divor$e s")in%s "s %ener"l r"ther th"n $ontinos&
S)nt"$ti$"ll)+ the verses in M"tthe! "nd M"r* "re $ondition"l rel"tive $l"ses& C*e ses "n
"ltern"te $onstr$tion !ith m$h the s"me sense& 'he se of the present tense in the NthenN p"rt
of s$h $l"ses fits " p"ttern $"lled Nthe present %ener"l spposition+N !hi$h indi$"tes th"t the
!riter is settin% do!n " %ener"l prin$iple !ithot h"vin% " spe$ifi$ e2"mple or inst"n$e in mind
-Brton 1696:123/& 'h"t is+ in $ondition"l rel"tive $l"ses+ the present tense is $ommonl) sed to
present %ener"l "$tion&
'he $onte2t of e"$h of the Gospel s")in%s "lso spports their interpret"tion "s present %ener"l
sppositions& 1n none of them is the Cord dis$ssin% " p"rti$l"r inst"n$e of divor$e or
rem"rri"%e& ."ther+ he is l")in% do!n " %ener"l prin$iple "ppli$"ble to "n)one !ho divor$es& 1n
s$h " $"se+ !e e2pe$t him to se the present tense !ith %ener"l me"nin%+ to emph"si#e the
%ener"lit) of his instr$tion&
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CHAPTER 18
THE DIVORCED PERSON IN THE CHURCH
1n some $hr$hes+ divor$ed people "re ot$"sts+ b"rred from "n) ministr) "nd shnned b) those
!ho *no! their b"$*%rond& 1n others+ divor$e is $onsidered " priv"te m"tter+ "nd the $hr$h
t"*es no note of it "t "ll& 1n this $h"pter+ !e $onsider the impli$"tions of divor$e for " believer3s
fello!ship "nd ministr) in the lo$"l $hr$h&
Fivor$e h"s impli$"tions for " person3s role in the $hr$h+ bt so does the for%iveness
th"t is in ;hrist Less&
Fivor$e "nd rem"rri"%e do dis="lif) " person for $ert"in ministries&
'he) "re not the onl) dis="lifi$"tion+ "nd shold not e$lipse other re=irements for
these positions&
Frthermore+ divor$ed people+ li*e other s"ved sinners+ h"ve spirit"l %ifts th"t the)
shold e2er$ise for the benefit of the !hole $hr$h&
18.1 D1orce "!# For,1e!e''
9hen people divor$e or rem"rr) in viol"tion of God3s l"!+ the $hr$h shold reprove them& 1f
the) trl) repent of their sin+ there is no more need for reproof& 'he) shold not morn over the
sin th"t is p"st+ bt re(oi$e in God3s for%iveness& 'he $hr$h+ in trn+ shold sh"re their (o) "nd
restore them to fello!ship&
'he ;orinthi"n epistles illstr"te both the need to reprove the sinner "nd the need to restore
the penitent&
18.1.1 S! ! Cor!th
1 ;orinthi"ns 5 tells of " m"n !ho m"rried his f"ther3s !ife+ in viol"tion of both Ceviti$"l "nd
p"%"n st"nd"rds& 'he ;orinthi"ns overloo* his $ond$t+ "nd "re prod of their toler"n$e+ bt P"l
vie!s the m"tter differentl)&
Dou are puffed up, and have not mourned instead, that the one who has done this deed might be
removed from your midst !?%"&.
'he) shold not %ive the offender their fello!ship "s lon% "s he $ontines in his sin&
I,oJ not associate together, if anyone who is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an
idolater, or a reviler, or an alcoholic, or a thief. 9ith such a person IdoJ not eat. \ )emove the
wicked one from among you !?%$$,$0&.
,is br"#en rebelliosness stron%l) s%%ests th"t he is not " believer+ so he h"s no pl"$e in the
fello!ship of God3s people& N.emoveN me"ns to pt him ot of the $hr$h& NFo not e"tN
emph"si#es the most visible $onse=en$e of bein% pt ot of the $hr$h+ e2$lsion from the
Cord3s Spper&
'he $hr$h needs to "$t (st "s de$isivel) tod") !hen its members sin& Fivor$e "nd
rem"rri"%e deserve stern tre"tment+ "s do other fl"%r"nt viol"tions of God3s l"!&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
18.1.$ Re'tor"to! ! Cor!th
;hr$h dis$ipline involves not onl) (d%ment "s in 1 ;orinthi"ns 5+ bt "lso restor"tion+
illstr"ted in 2 ;orinthi"ns 2& -'he notes e2plore the possibilit) th"t both $h"pters des$ribe the
s"me $"se&/ 1n response to " letter from P"l -2:4/+ the ;orinthi"ns h"ve pt ot " member from
their "ssembl)& P"l des$ribes the dis$ipline "s Nthis pnishment+ !hi$h is b) the m"(orit)N -2:5/&
'he elders de$ide the $"se+ bt the entire "ssembl) e2$ldes the sinner from its fello!ship&
@o! P"l is s"tisfied th"t the dis$ipline is Nsffi$ientN -2:5/& 'he m"n h"s repented+ "nd is in
d"n%er of bein% Nover!helmed !ith e2$essive sorro!N -2::/& 1t is time for he"lin%+ "nd P"l
otlines three steps the $hr$h shold t"*e in restor"tion: Np"rdonN the penitent+ N$omfortN him+
"nd N"ffirm YtheirZ love to!"rd himN -2::+6/&
9hen " person nder dis$ipline for sin %ives sffi$ient eviden$e of tre repent"n$e+ the
$hr$h mst first ("r#o!& 9hen the Cord h"s for%iven the sin+ the $hr$h $"n h"ve no frther
$h"r%es&
4 form"l p"rdon is not eno%h& 're repent"n$e pl"$es " person nder deep sorro!& 'he
$hr$h shold re$o%ni#e this stress+ "nd $omfort the brother or sister (st "s the) !old "n)one
!ho h"s been severel) bere"ved&
Fin"ll)+ the $hr$h needs to "ffirm its lo1e to!"rd the %rieved believer& 8ther believers
shold %o ot of their !") to re"ssre the penitent+ N>o "re one of s& 9h"t is p"st+ is p"st& 'he
Cord h"s for%iven )o+ "nd so h"ve !e+ "nd !e love )o be$"se he does&N 'hen the) shold
inte%r"te the person into the life of the $hr$h&
18.1.* The Le''o!' of Cor!th To#"2
'he e2perien$e of ;orinth offers t!o lessons for tod")&
1&1 ;orinthi"ns 5 sho!s th"t the $hr$h shold t"*e firm "nd bibli$"l "$tion "%"inst open sin&
2&2 ;orinthi"ns 2 sho!s th"t !hen the sinner repents+ the $hr$h shold be e"%er for
restor"tion&
'he first lesson sho!s th"t " $hr$h shold dis$ipline " member !ho "$tivel) see*s " divor$e
or !ho rem"rries "fter divor$e& 'he bro"d "nd $onsistent te"$hin% on the sb(e$t th"t !e h"ve
tr"$ed thro%hot the Bible $le"rl) $ondemns s$h $ond$t+ "nd the lo$"l "ssembl) shold se
its "thorit) to enfor$e this te"$hin%&
9hen " sinner repents+ !e "lso need the se$ond lesson& 'he $hr$h mst offer+ not "n on7
%oin% sti%m"+ bt p"rdon+ $omfort+ "nd love+ to those !hom the Cord h"s for%iven&
9ith re%"rd to repent"n$e "nd for%iveness+ the Bible does not distin%ish m"rit"l sins from
"n) others& People shold repent of them& 9hen people trl) repent+ the) "re for%iven&
18.$ Wh"t " D1orce# Per'o! +"2 Not Do ! the Ch%rch
9e h"ve "lre"d) distin%ished the guilt of sin+ !hi$h "ffe$ts or rel"tion !ith God+ from its
consequences+ !hi$h "ffe$t or rel"tions !ith other people& God3s for%iveness removes %ilt+ bt
$onse=en$es in this life m") rem"in& 1n p"rti$l"r+ " person for%iven of m"rit"l sin is still
e2$lded from three positions of prominen$e in the lo$"l $hr$h: elders+ de"$ons+ "nd !ido!s& 1n
this se$tion !e des$ribe these positions "nd e2"mine the re=irements th"t the @e! 'est"ment
pl"$es on them&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
18.$.1 The Re'trcte# Po'to!'
'he elders -other!ise $"lled Nbishops+N Noverseers+N or Np"storsN/ "re the le"ders of $hr$hes in
the @e! 'est"ment& 'he) $orrespond "ppro2im"tel) to the Np"storN in most modern $hr$hes+
!ith three import"nt differen$es&
1& 'he) "re ns"l"ried+ not profession"ll) tr"ined "nd spported&
2& 'he) !or* "s te"ms r"ther th"n "s individ"ls&
3& 'he)+ not the $on%re%"tion+ "re the hi%hest hm"n "thorit) in the $hr$h&
'he @e! 'est"ment does not mention de"$ons in most of the $hr$hes+ "nd !e *no! little
"bot their spe$ifi$ "$tivities& 'he $hr$hes !here the) do "ppe"r -Philippi+ Gphess+ "nd
prob"bl) Lers"lem/ in$lde " %ood nmber of need) fol*+ so their m"in responsibilit) is
prob"bl) pr"$ti$"l ministr) of v"rios sorts+ tho%h some of them "re $"p"ble te"$hers "s !ell&
8nl) 1 'imoth) 5 des$ribes "n offi$i"l %rop of !ido!s in the $hr$h& 'he) seem to be
spported b) the $hr$h+ "nd m") be o$$pied in v"rios ministries of mer$)+ hospit"lit)+
visit"tion+ "nd $onselin%&
4ll three positions en(o) pbli$ re$o%nition in the $hr$h& 9e *no! from 1 'im& 5:22 th"t
Glders "re set "p"rt b) the s)mbol of l")in% on of h"nds& 'he s"me s)mbol m") h"ve been sed
for de"$ons -4$ts 5:5/+ !ho in "n) event "ssme their offi$i"l responsibilities onl) "fter $"refl
prob"tion -1 'im& 3:10/+ "nd the !ido!s "re NenrolledN -1 'im& 5:9/ for spport& 4s " reslt of
this re$o%nition+ these individ"ls represent the $hr$h in " !") th"t others do not& Sin$e both
believers "nd nbelievers !ill s$rtini#e them ns"ll) $losel)+ the) mst meet ns"ll) hi%h
st"nd"rds of $h"r"$ter&
18.$.$ The ReA%reme!t'
Be$"se elders+ de"$ons+ "nd !ido!s "re so visible+ P"l in 1 'imoth) 3 "nd 5 l")s do!n
strin%ent re=irements for their $h"r"$ter "nd $ond$t& ,is instr$tions "re not mere
re$ommend"tions or ide"ls: N'he overseer m%'t be bl"meless+ \N @one of the re=irements
e2pli$itl) mentions divor$e or rem"rri"%e+ bt t!o of them re=ire $h"r"$ter tr"its th"t " divor$ed
person l"$*s+ "nd " third $"nnot be s"tisfied b) " divor$ed person !ho h"s rem"rried& 'he three
re=irements "re th"t one !ho represents the $hr$h offi$i"ll) Nbe bl"meless+N Nrle his o!n
hose !ell+N "nd Nbe " one7!om"n m"n&N
'o be bl"meless -1 'im& 3:2+10P $f& 5:10/ is more th"n h"vin% one3s sins for%iven& P"l !"nts
$hr$h offi$ers to be so e2empl"r) th"t even nbelievers spe"* !ell of them -1 'im& 3::/& Eisible
mor"l f"ilin%s on the p"rt of prominent members mst not be "llo!ed to m"r the "ssembl)3s
rept"tion& Fivor$e is hi%hl) visible+ "nd m"n) people $onsider it " $h"r"$ter blemish&
Bl"melessness is even less $h"r"$teristi$ of " divor$ed person !ho $ommits "dlter) thro%h
rem"rri"%e&
Glders "nd de"$ons mst not onl) be bl"meless+ bt "lso h"ve s$$essfl e2perien$e in
le"din% " home -1 'im& 3:475+ 12/& 'he interperson"l s*ills needed to %ide " $hr$h s$$essfll)
"re the s"me "s those re=ired to le"d " home& 9here modern $hr$hes re=ire semin"r) "s
prep"r"tion for p"storin%+ the @e! 'est"ment re=ires e2perien$e in le"din% " home in h"rmon)
"nd %odliness& Fivor$e is the ltim"te bre"*do!n in home life+ "nd s$h " b"$*%rond is " stron%
!"rnin% th"t " m"n l"$*s the person"l e=ipment for $hr$h le"dership&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he third re=irement relev"nt to divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e is th"t elders -1 'im& 3:2P 'it& 1:5/
"nd de"$ons -1 'im& 3:12/ be None7!om"n men+N !hile !ido!s -1 'im& 5:9/ "re to be None7m"n
!omen&N 'hese phr"ses do not refer to "n) spe$ifi$ m"rit"l sit"tion+ bt re=ire th"t " person be
free from "n) t"int of infidelit) to " sin%le spose& .em"rri"%e "fter divor$e is "dlter)+ "nd so
-"lon% !ith m"n) other $onditions/ viol"tes these re=irements& Frthermore+ the de"th of one
spose does not trn " t!o7spose person into " one7spose person+ for " !ido! $"n f"il to be "
None7m"n !om"nN -1 'im& 5:9/ even tho%h "s " !ido! she $rrentl) h"s no sposes]
18.* Other Re'trcto!' o! El#er'= De"co!'= "!# W#o:'
1n %ener"l+ divor$e dis="lifies " person for prominent $hr$h servi$e+ "nd rem"rri"%e onl)
$omponds the problem& 'he emph"sis $ommonl) %iven to m"rit"l isses sometimes e$lipses
other re=irements for $hr$h le"dership& 'he dis="lifi$"tion th"t reslts from divor$e "nd
rem"rri"%e does not refle$t the indelibilit) of the sin+ bt the solemnit) of the positions& M"n)
other sins+ "nd even $h"r"$teristi$s th"t "re not sins+ "lso dis="lif) people from these roles& 4
$"refl $hr$h monitors m"n) isses in the lives of its le"ders+ "nd does not overloo* other
short$omin%s b) fo$sin% onl) on m"rit"l problems&
For inst"n$e+ divor$e is not the onl) !") " m"n $"n f"il to rle his hose !ell& .ebellios
$hildren %ive "s m$h eviden$e for f"ilre to rle !ell "s does divor$e& 1n f"$t+ the elder mst
h"ve his N$hildren in sbmission !ith "ll %r"venessN -1 'im& 3:4/& 'he) mst be Nbelievin%
$hildren+ not "$$sed of deb"$her) or nsbmissiveN -'it& 1:5/& >et some $hr$hes th"t !old
never dre"m of h"vin% " divor$ed m"n "s p"stor e2$se his $hildren3s $ond$t !ith s)mp"theti$
$omments "bot Npre"$hers3 *ids&N
1n f"$t+ the re=irement th"t " m"n rle his hose !ell re=ires th"t he h"ve " f"mil)+ bt
m"n) $hr$hes th"t e2$lde divor$ed men from le"dership "llo! sin%le men to hold the s"me
positions&
Bl"melessness "lso re=ires more th"n freedom from divor$e& M"n) $ir$mst"n$es m") so
t"rnish " m"n3s rept"tion th"t he $"nnot effe$tivel) represent " $hr$h in " re$o%ni#ed position
of prominen$e& 9e !ill not *no! th"t " m"n is bl"meless simpl) b) "s*in% !hether or not he is
divor$ed& 9e need " m$h more thoro%h *no!led%e of his life "nd $h"r"$ter&
8ther re=irements for elders in$lde vi%il"n$e "nd hospit"lit) -1 'im& 3:2/& 4 l"#) or
$"reless m"n+ or one !ho is %reed)+ h"s no pl"$e over God3s flo$*& 9e h"rdl) thin* of
$"relessness in the s"me $"te%or) "s divor$e+ bt both dis="lif) " m"n from servin% "s "n elder&
'here "re m"n) other re=irements for prominent ministr) besides mono%"m)& 9e shold
vie! divor$e+ not "s the one %re"t np"rdon"ble sin+ bt "s one "mon% m"n) elements th"t
e2$lde " person from $ert"in positions in the $hr$h&
18.5 Wh"t " D1orce# Per'o! +"2 Do ! the Ch%rch
'he re=irements for $hr$h le"dership "re so strin%ent th"t m"n) believers besides those
divor$ed do not meet them& >et "ll believers shold h"ve some ministr) in the $hr$h& 'he Bible
te"$hes th"t ever) ;hristi"n h"s " spe$i"l "bilit) or %ift+ %iven b) the ,ol) Spirit for se in the
bod) of ;hrist&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
To every one is given the manifestation of the Spirit, for the advantage Iof allJ !$ .or. $"%A&.
8s every one has received a gift, ministerIJ it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God !$ #et. +%$B&.
'hose !ho $"nnot represent the $hr$h in pbli$l) re$o%ni#ed $"p"$ities shold still Nminister
Ytheir %iftsZ to one "notherN in less form"l !")s&
'he ministries th"t God e2er$ises thro%h his people in$lde prophe$)+ servi$e+ te"$hin%+
e2hort"tion+ %ivin%+ "nd sho!in% mer$) -.om& 12:576/& 8thers in the $hr$h besides elders+
de"$ons+ "nd !ido!s shold e2er$ise s$h %ifts& 4 divor$ed person $"n e2er$ise the %ift of
%ivin%& 'he e2perien$e of m"rit"l dis"ster m") ni=el) ="lif) " person for e2hort"tion "nd
sho!in% mer$) to those $rrentl) f"$in% f"mil) tensions& Person"l Bible stdies "nd %rop
dis$ssions offer opportnities for inform"l te"$hin% to believers !ho mi%ht not ="lif) for
prominent pbli$ ministr)& 'he re=irements for elders "nd de"$ons "re (st th"t0no less+ "nd
no more& 9e shold not m"*e them less th"n re=irements+ "nd pl"$e those !ho do not meet the
$onditions over the flo$*& @or shold !e e2tend them be)ond elders "nd de"$ons+ "nd
dis$or"%e those !ith s$h " b"$*%rond from "n) $ontribtion to the bod) of ;hrist& 'he re"l
isse in the =estion of the ="lifi$"tions for pbli$ ministr) is the soverei%nt) of the Cord Less
;hrist0over his $hr$h+ "nd in the lives of his people&
;hrist is soverei%n in the $hr$h& ,e is the one !ho shold sele$t $hr$h le"ders& 'he lists in
1 'imoth) "nd 'its e2press the ="lifi$"tions he re=ires for le"ders& 1f !e remove some
="lifi$"tions or "dd others+ !e srp his pl"$e "s the he"d of the bod)&
;hrist is "lso soverei%n in or individ"l lives& 4ll of s+ left to or o!n devi$es+ "re fll)
$"p"ble of viol"tin% ever) re=irement for $hr$h servi$e -"nd even fello!ship/& 'hose !ho
meet these re=irements do so onl) be$"se God %r"$iosl) %"rds them from tempt"tion "nd
%ides their steps& 'he Cord both sets the re=irements "nd en"bles some people to meet them&
'he "%reement bet!een the re=irements "nd person"l $h"r"$teristi$s is or !") of identif)in%
those !hom the Cord h"s $hosen to represent his $hr$h& 4 person !ho does not meet the
re=irements shold t"*e th"t $ir$mst"n$e+ not "s $"se for dis$or"%ement+ bt "s the Cord3s
dire$tion into other "re"s of inflen$e&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t t!o steps in h"ndlin% " sinnin% $hr$h member does P"l te"$h to the $hr$h of
;orinthH
2& 9h"t three thin%s is the $hr$h to do to!"rd someone !ho h"s repented of serios sinH
3& 9h) $"n sin restri$t " person3s ministr) even "fter the sin h"s been fors"*en "nd
for%ivenH
4& 9h"t three positions in the $hr$h h"ve m"rit"l ="lifi$"tionsH
5& 9h"t $ommon fe"tre do these positions sh"re th"t pl"$es s$h hi%h dem"nds on the
$h"r"$ter of those !ho hold themH
5& 9h"t three re=irements in 'imoth) "nd 'its e2$lde divor$ed "nd rem"rried people
from re$o%ni#ed positions of prominent ministr)H
:& 9h"t eviden$e is there th"t " divor$ed "nd rem"rried person f"ils to meet the None7
spose personN ="lifi$"tion even "fter the de"th of the e2tr" sposeH
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
6& Ple"se list three re=irements other th"n m"rit"l s$$ess for elders&
9& Ple"se %ive three e2"mples of ministries th"t " divor$ed person $old e2er$ise in the
$hr$h&
NOTES
18.8 The Pe!te!t ! $ Cor!th"!' $
1n dis$ssin% repent"n$e "nd for%iveness+ 1 s%%est th"t the penitent des$ribed in 2 ;or& 2 mi%ht
be the s"me "s the sinner $"sti%"ted in 1 ;or& 5& 'his vie! !"s f"vored b) m"n) $omment"tors
of the l"st $entr)& Some re$ent $omment"tors thin* th"t the t!o "re not the s"me+ "nd th"t the
person in 2 ;or& 2 !"s %ilt)+ not of se2"l sin+ bt of $h"llen%in% P"l3s "thorit)&
'he point m"de in the $h"pter does not depend on !hether the t!o in$idents $on$ern the
s"me person or not& 'he) indi$"te %ener"l prin$iples of dis$ipline "nd restor"tion th"t "ppl) to
"n) sin& Still+ 2 ;or& 2 is more dire$tl) "ppli$"ble to or interests if the older vie! is $orre$t+ "nd
it deserves " he"rin% even tho%h the tide of s$hol"rl) opinion is $rrentl) "%"inst it&
'he =estion trns on the identifi$"tion of t!o events th"t P"l mentions in 2 ;orinthi"ns+ "
p"infl visit th"t he e"rlier p"id the ;orinthi"ns "nd " h"rsh letter th"t he !rote them in
$onne$tion !ith th"t visit&
4$ts re$ords onl) t!o visits of P"l to ;orinth+ one in 4$ts 16 !hen he pl"nts the
$hr$h there+ "nd the other in 4$ts 20 on his !") b"$* to Lers"lem "nd "rrest& ,e
t!i$e "nti$ip"tes the 4$ts 20 visit in 2 ;or& 12:14P 13:1+ bt $"lls it his third visit+
indi$"tin% th"t there mst be "nother visit+ nmentioned b) 4$ts+ bet!een 4$ts 16 "nd
4$ts 20& 1n 2 ;or& 2:1+ P"l indi$"tes th"t he previosl) visited them on "n err"nd of
sorro!& 'his des$ription h"rdl) "pplies to the initi"l ev"n%eli#"tion of the $it) in 4$ts
16+ "nd so mst des$ribe the intermedi"te m)ster) visit&
1n des$ribin% the p"infl visit+ P"l mentions " letter to the ;orinthi"ns -2 ;or& 2:3/&
'his letter $on$erned the disobedient m"n -2 ;or& 2:9/+ "nd "pp"rentl) e2horted them to
the dis$ipline th"t led to his repent"n$e& ,e mentions the letter "%"in in 2 ;or& ::6+12+
emph"si#in% the sorro! th"t it bro%ht to them&
'he older vie! identifies the letter mentioned in 2 ;or& 2:3P ::6+12 !ith 1 ;orinthi"ns& 'he
offender is the m"n des$ribed in 1 ;or& 5& 8n this vie!+ the p"infl visit mst o$$r bet!een
P"l3s first dep"rtre from ;orinth in 4$ts 16:16 "nd the !ritin% of 1 ;orinthi"ns+ !hi$h !"s
prob"bl) sent from Gphess b) the h"nd of 'imoth) in 4$ts 19:22 -$f& 1 ;or& 4:1:P 15:10/& 'he
e"rl) p"rt of 4$ts 19 $overs t!o )e"rs -4$ts 19:10/+ !hi$h is $ert"inl) lon% eno%h for P"l to
visit the Gree* $hr$hes+ espe$i"ll) if he h"s le"rned of some problem re=irin% his intervention&
Bern"rd Y195:Z:375 offers "n "ble defense of the older vie!&
'he ne!er vie! finds 1 ;orinthi"ns too mild for the des$ription in 2 ;or& ::6+ "nd
h)pothesi#es th"t the p"infl visit o$$rs "fter the !ritin% of 1 ;orinthi"ns+ in $onne$tion !ith "
serios $h"llen%e to P"l3s "postoli$ "thorit)& 8n this vie!+ the e"rlier letter h"s prob"bl) been
lost& 'he ne! vie! is "$$essible in Br$e 19:::2:372:9&
'hree points r%e s to %ive the older vie! " serios he"rin%&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1& 1t is the simpler vie!+ sin$e it does not re=ire s to h)pothesi#e the e2isten$e of "
missin% letter&
2& 1t is misle"din% to spe"* b"ldl)+ "s the ne!er vie! often does+ of Nthe stern letter&N 'he
des$ription of sorro! in 2 ;orinthi"ns "pplies not to the letter+ bt to its effe$t on the
re"ders& Perh"ps onl) " p"rt of the letter m"de people sorro!fl& 1n the first si2 $h"pters
of 1 ;orinthi"ns+ P"l reb*es the ;orinthi"ns r"ther blntl) for sever"l errors77their
p"rt) spirit -$h"pter 1/+ their imm"trit) -$h"pter 3/+ their toler"n$e of forni$"tion
-$h"pter 5/+ their l"!sits "nd h"rlotr) -$h"pter 5/& ,e spe"*s to sh"me them -5:5/+ "nd
!"rns th"t he !ill shortl) $ome to them !ith " rod if the) do not str"i%hten ot -4:21/&
'hese $h"pters $ert"inl) "re stern eno%h to $"se the re"$tion des$ribed in 2
;orinthi"ns&
3& 2 ;or& ::12 s%%ests th"t the offense !"s not "%"inst P"l -"s the ne!er vie! re=ires/
bt "%"inst someone else -the f"ther of the immor"l m"n+ "$$ordin% to the older theor)/&
'he ;orinthi"n epistles te"$h the s"me prin$iples of dis$ipline "nd restor"tion !hether !e
nderst"nd them to des$ribe the s"me offense or t!o different ones& 'hese brief observ"tions
sho! th"t it is b) no me"ns impossible th"t the) des$ribe the s"me $"se+ "s 1 s%%est in this
$h"pter&
18.@ Other E?(l"!"to!' of FO!e;Wom"! +"!G
Sever"l different e2pl"n"tions h"ve been proposed for the phr"se None7!om"n m"nN th"t P"l
ses in 1 'im& 3:2+12 "nd 'its 1:5 to des$ribe those !ho serve offi$i"ll) in the $hr$h&
Perh"ps P"l is t"l*in% "bot people !ho "re divor$ed "nd rem"rried&
Some people thin* the terms refer to pol)%"m) or m"rit"l infidelit)&
4nother vie! dis="lifies people !ho h"ve rem"rried "fter the de"th of " spose&
4r%ments r"%e lon% "nd frios over !hi$h of these P"l me"ns& 'he $onfsion "rises be$"se+
"pp"rentl)+ P"l is not sin% " $ommon idiom for " p"rti$l"r m"rit"l sit"tion+ bt r"ther is
$onstr$tin% the phr"se on the spot& 'hs !e $"nnot "ppe"l to other o$$rren$es of the phr"se to
le"rn its pre$ise me"nin%&
Be$"se !e $"nnot pin do!n the term on the b"sis of s"%e+ it is n!ise to se it to
determine P"l3s "ttitde to!"rd divor$e+ or pol)%"m)+ or rem"rri"%e "fter " spose dies& 9e
mst determine these "ttitdes from other te2ts& From the rest of the @e! 'est"ment+ !e $"n
$on$lde th"t P"l forbids divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e+ "nd "lso pol)%"m) "nd otri%ht "dlter)+ bt
th"t he "llo!s "nd even en$or"%es rem"rri"%e for !ido!s "nd !ido!ers& So the first t!o
interpret"tions of the phr"se seem re"son"ble+ !hile the third is nli*el)&
Be$"se the phr"se is "mbi%os+ 1 h"ve not sed it in e2"minin% !hether rem"rri"%e is ri%ht
or !ron%& 1 m"*e this de$ision on the %ronds of other p"ss"%es& 1 do $ite the None7!om"n m"nN
te2ts+ tho%h+ in e2plorin% the impli$"tions of " person3s m"rit"l st"ts for $ert"in t)pes of pbli$
ministr)&
4dvo$"tes of the rem"rri"%e interpret"tion fre=entl) tr) to sho! th"t pol)%"m) !"s r"re in
the first $entr)+ so th"t P"l mst be referrin% to rem"rri"%e& 1n response+ people !ho "llo!
rem"rri"%e nder some $ir$mst"n$es tr) to do$ment $"ses of pol)%"m) in the first $entr)+ "s
tho%h th"t $old e2$lde divor$e from P"l3s referen$e& Both $l"ims "re l"r%el) beside the point&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Pre$isel) be$"se P"l3s e2pression is "mbi%os "nd !ithot $le"r p"r"llel+ !e shold not
restri$t its me"nin% onl) to rem"rri"%e+ or onl) to pol)%"m)& P"l $old h"ve m"de either of
these e2pli$it+ h"d he !ished& ,e does not+ "nd !e shold be $"refl not to s") more th"n he
does&
'he simplest position+ "nd the one 1 t"*e+ is th"t the None7!om"n m"nN re=irement e2$ldes
"n) form of infidelit)& 'he S$riptres permit rem"rri"%e "fter de"th+ so it does not e2$lde " m"n
from le"dership& 'he) $ondemn pol)%"m)+ "dlter)+ "nd rem"rri"%e "fter divor$e+ so these
$onditions do dis="lif) " m"n&
1n other !ords+ the phr"se is " %eneri$ des$ription+ not " te$hni$"l term for rem"rri"%e+
pol)%"m)+ or "dlter)& Be$"se it is %eneri$+ !e $"nnot se it to le"rn P"l3s vie! on "n) one of
these $onditions& Bt if !e *no! from other p"ss"%es th"t he $ondemns " $ert"in form of
mltiple m"rri"%e+ !e $"n $on$lde from this te2t th"t people !ho h"ve been in s$h " m"rri"%e
"re e2$lded from $hr$h le"dership&
18.D E4e.el 55:$$
L") 4d"ms 1960:65 $ites G#e*& 44:22 "s eviden$e th"t the 8ld 'est"ment permits rem"rri"%e
"fter divor$e&
(ut a widow or a divorced woman they shall not take to themselves as wives, but virgins of the seed
of the house of 'srael, or that widow who shall be a priest=s widow, shall they take.
,e rem"r*s+
'he !hole for$e of the verse is to spe$if) re=irements pe$li"r to priests& 1f no one !"s
"llo!ed to m"rr) " divor$ed person "n)!")+ the prohibition !old be pointless& 8nl) if the
pr"$ti$e !"s %ener"ll) "$$ept"ble is the verse of si%nifi$"n$e+ sin$e onl) then !old it m"r*
ot "n e2$eption to the %ener"l rle&
'he verse o$$rs in the p"rt of G#e*iel th"t "nti$ip"tes the restor"tion of temple !orship in
Lers"lem "fter the B"b)loni"n $"ptivit)& Ci*e m$h of this p"rt of G#e*iel+ the verse e$hoes "
provision of the Mos"i$ C"!+ in this $"se Cev& 21::+13+14:
8 harlot woman, or one defiled, they shall not takeH and a woman divorced from her husband they
shall not take, for he is holy unto his God. \ e shall take a woman in her virginity. 8 widow, or a
divorcee, or one defiled, a harlot% these he shall not take, but a virgin from his people shall he take as
wife.
B) 4d"ms3 "r%ment+ these verses indi$"te th"t the C"! permits l")men to m"rr) h"rlots+ "s !ell
"s !ido!s "nd divor$ees& 8n the $ontr"r)+ the C"! de$rees th"t " %irl !ho pl")s the h"rlot in her
f"ther3s hose is to be stoned -Fet& 22:21/& Stonin%+ not m"rri"%e+ is the l"!fl tre"tment of "
h"rlot&
'he le%isl"tion of G#e*& 44:22 "nd Cev& 21::714 forbids priests to m"rr) divor$ees "nd
h"rlots+ not be$"se it is l":f%l for ordin"r) people to m"rr) them+ bt be$"se it is commo! for
ordin"r) people to m"rr) them& ?nfortn"tel)+ the periods !hen God3s people live $ompletel)
"$$ordin% to his l"! "re fe! "nd f"r bet!een& 'he C"! sometimes m"*es provision for m"n3s sin
b) des$ribin% !h"t to do ne2t "fter the sin t"*es pl"$e+ or b) emph"si#in% $onte2ts in !hi$h the
sin is espe$i"ll) "bhorrent& 1t is " mist"*e to "r%e from s$h p"ss"%es th"t the sin re"ll) isn3t sin
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
"fter "ll+ (st "s it is " mist"*e to "r%e from the l"! of divor$e in Feteronom) 24 th"t the C"!
of Moses s"n$tions divor$e& 'he p"ss"%es in G#e*iel "nd Ceviti$s sho! th"t m"rri"%e of
divor$ees is not n*no!n+ "nd th"t it is spe$ifi$"ll) forbidden to priests& 'he) do not sho! th"t
God "pproves of it for "n)bod) else&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 1@
PHKSICAL A-USE AND DIVORCE
Eiolen$e often m"rs modern homes& 9e he"r of hsb"nds !ho b"tter their !ives or molest their
$hildren& 'he older $"ri$"tre of the "n%r) !ife thro!in% dishes "nd br"ndishin% " bt$her *nife
or " rollin% pin "t her $o!erin% hsb"nd still $orresponds to m$h nh"pp) re"lit) "s !ell& M"n)
believers !ho re(e$t divor$e for "n) other $"se feel th"t the) mst "$$ept it in $"ses of ph)si$"l
"bse&
Fomesti$ violen$e is " %re"t problem+ "nd dem"nds divine stren%th "nd love for its soltion&
'he Bible does not solve the problem b) divor$e& 1t does %ive hope in other dire$tions& 9e !ill
see:
Fomesti$ violen$e is !ron%P
'he thre"t of ph)si$"l h"rm is no %ronds for divor$eP
8ther me"ns of prote$tion m") be "v"il"ble&
1@.1 Dome'tc Vole!ce ' Wro!,
'he stron%est bibli$"l !"rnin%s "%"inst domesti$ violen$e $ondemn the nderl)in% problem of
strife& 'here $"n be no violen$e bet!een t!o people !ho live in lovin% h"rmon)& 9hen there is
violen$e+ one or both h"ve disobe)ed the bibli$"l !"rnin%s "%"inst strife&
1@.1.1 Strfe ' Wro!,
'he Bible $ondemns strife "mon% people& Strife is one $h"r"$teristi$ of the Nreprob"te mindN to
!hi$h God h"s "b"ndoned the p"%"n !orld -.om& 1:29+ !here the 4E tr"nsl"tes the !ord
Ndeb"teN/& 1t m"r*s the ns"ved m"n -1 ;or& 3:3/& P"l r"n*s it !ith the N!or*s of the fleshN "nd
s")s th"t Nthose !ho pr"$ti$e s$h thin%s sh"ll not inherit the *in%dom of GodN -G"l& 5:19+20/&
Believers "re to N!"l* be$omin%l)+ "s in the d")+ }el not in strifeN -.om& 13:13/+ "nd P"l !"rns
the ;orinthi"ns th"t s$h beh"vior !ill in$r his reb*e !hen he visits them -2 ;or& 12:20/&
@one of these !"rnin%s is restri$ted to the home& Bitterness "nd dis$ord "re !ron% !herever
the) o$$r 0 in the f"mil)+ in $hr$hes+ in the !or*pl"$e+ bet!een n"tions&
1@.1.$ W1e' A,"!'t H%'b"!#'
9ives shold not strive !ith their hsb"nds& God h"s brdened the m"n !ith the responsibilit)
of le"din% the !om"n:
The head of woman is the manC -1 ;or& 11:3/P
9ives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the 7ord. For man is the head of woman, :ust
as .hrist is head of the church, and he is savior of the body. (ut as the church submits itself to .hrist,
so should the wives to their own husbands in everythingC -Gph& 5:22724/&
9ives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as is fit in the 7ordC -;ol& 3:16/&
Cives, submit yourselves to your own husbands. 5 7et Iyour adorningJ be 5 a meek and quiet spiritC
-1 Pet& 3:1+ 374/&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
4 ;hristi"n !ife !ho is e2er$isin% N" mee* "nd =iet spiritN b) Nsbmittin%N to her hsb"nd
$"nnot be strivin% !ith him+ m$h less $h"sin% him ot of the hose "mid " h"il of potter)&
1@.1.* H%'b"!#' A,"!'t W1e'
,sb"nds shold not strive !ith their !ives&
;an is the head of woman, :ust as .hrist is head of the church, and he is savior of the body. 5
usbands, love your own wives, :ust as .hrist loved the church and gave himself for it. 5 ;en ought
to love their own wives as they do their own bodies. e who loves his own wife loves himself. For no
one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, :ust as the 7ord does the churchC -Gph&
5:23+25+26729/&
usbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter against themC -;ol& 3:19/&
usbands, dwell together Iwith your wivesJ according to knowledge, rendering honor to the wife as to
a weaker vessel -1 Pet& 3::/&
4s ;hrist s"ved his bod)+ the $hr$h+ so ;hristi"n hsb"nds shold prote$t "nd defend their
!ives+ not see* to h"rm them&
Some hsb"nds perversel) im"%ine th"t the) $"n (stif) $h"stisin% their !ives be$"se God
sometimes $h"stises the believer& 'his error $onfses the role of " brother !ith th"t of " f"ther&
Believers "re the brethren of the Cord Less -Lohn 20:1:P .om& 6:29/+ "nd the Bible never
des$ribes him "s $h"stisin% them& 1t is God the F"ther !ho $h"stises his $hildren -,eb& 12:5711/&
'he Bible $omp"res the rel"tion of hsb"nd "nd !ife to the rel"tion of ;hrist "nd his brethren+
bt never to the rel"tion of God "nd his $hildren& ,sb"nds h"ve no bibli$"l b"sis for $h"stisin%
their !ives&
1@.1.5 P"re!t' A,"!'t Chl#re!
P"rents "re to $h"stise their $hildren+ bt this dt) does not (stif) domesti$ violen$e& 'he
!"rnin%s "%"inst strife "nd dis$ord "ppl) to p"rents "nd $hildren "s !ell "s other rel"tionships& 4
f"ther or mother !ho stri*es " $hild in " spirit of "n%er or bitterness displ")s the !or*s of the
flesh+ not p"rent"l responsibilit)& Strife "nd dis$ord on the p"rt of " p"rent le"d dire$tl) to !r"th
in the $hild+ "nd the Bible !"rns p"rents+ NFo not provo*e )or $hildren to !r"thN -Gph& 5:4/&
1@.$ Vole!ce ' Not )ro%!#' for D1orce.
Fomesti$ violen$e is !ron%& ;hristi"ns sometimes propose to solve the problem thro%h divor$e&
'he) "re ri%ht to tr) to help+ bt their s%%estion is mis%ided+ for three re"sons&
1& 'he Bible never s")s th"t domesti$ violen$e "thori#es divor$e&
2& Ph)si$"l violen$e is not the onl) !") one person $"n hrt "nother& 1f violen$e (stifies
divor$e+ so do m"n) other offenses+ "nd the nivers"l bibli$"l te"$hin% "%"inst divor$e
be$omes "n nre"listi$ ide"l&
3& 1f !e m"*e " spe$i"l $"se ot of violen$e+ !e i%nore the None fleshN n"tre of the
m"rri"%e bond&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1@.$.1 D1orce for Vole!ce ! the -ble
'he problem of domesti$ violen$e mst h"ve been "rond in bibli$"l times& 'he "bnd"nt
!"rnin%s "%"inst strife in the @e! 'est"ment sho! th"t people then !ere prone to the s"me
emotion"l f"ilin%s "s !e "re tod")& 1t is n"ive to "ssme th"t the "n$ient home !"s immne to
dis$ord "nd the ph)si$"l violen$e th"t sometimes erpts from it& >et the Bible does not "thori#e
divor$e be$"se of violen$e& P"l does not even mention the possibilit) !hen he dis$sses
m"rit"l sep"r"tion in 1 ;orinthi"ns :& ,e "llo!s sep"r"tion from bed "nd bo"rd for those deserted
b) "n nbeliever+ bt there is not " !hisper "bot dividin% " m"rri"%e be$"se of domesti$
violen$e&
9e $"nnot e2pl"in the Bible3s silen$e on the m"tter b) $l"imin% th"t it is $h"vinisti$& 8r
$ltre emph"si#es violen$e of men "%"inst !omen+ bt violen$e of !omen "%"inst men is (st
"s !ron%+ "nd (st "s li*el) to h"ppen+ %iven the perversit) of the hm"n he"rt+ )et the Bible
m"*es no spe$i"l provision for " hsb"nd to free himself from s$h " m"te& Fomesti$ violen$e
flo!s in t!o dire$tions+ "nd the Bible s"n$tions neither one "s "n e2$se for divor$e&
1@.$.$ Vole!ce: The C"mel&' No'e
1f the $hr$h permits divor$e for violen$e+ it does so !ithot "n) bibli$"l fond"tion& 1s violen$e
s$h " serios problem th"t it !"rr"nts this spe$i"l tre"tmentH 4 person3s bod) is s"$red& Perh"ps
h"rmin% it is f"r !orse th"n other offenses+ "nd merits e2$eption"l "$tion&
'he "r%ment sonds $onvin$in%+ ntil !e tr) to identif) Nother offensesN th"t m"*e violen$e
seem e2$eption"l&
4 m"n !ho sn"rls "t his !ife m") %ive her bleedin% l$ers& Foes sn"rlin% $ome !ithin
the s$ope of Ndomesti$ violen$e+N "nd (stif) divor$eH
4 p"rent !ho is "ddi$ted to tob"$$o+ "l$ohol+ or other dr%s !ill h"ve $hildren !ho "re
prone to " v"riet) of ph)si$"l "ilments& Frthermore+ se$ond7h"nd smo*e m")
"%%r"v"te " spose3s "sthm" or emph)sem"& 1s smo*in% %ronds for divor$eH
4 l"#) bre"d!inner m") not provide "n "de="te in$ome for his f"mil)+ "nd the) m")
sffer m"lntrition& Shold he be divor$edH
4 $oo* !ith " lst for ri$h p"stries "nd red me"t m") sb(e$t other members of the
f"mil) to he"rt dise"se or intestin"l $"n$er& Shold !e pt "!") " spose for bein% "
%ormetH
,"rmin% "nother person3s bod) ' " serios offense& Bt or ph)si$"l !ell7bein% is so
intert!ined !ith or h"bits of life "nd or ps)$holo%i$"l environment th"t "lmost "n) f"lt $"n
brin% ph)si$"l h"rm to the immedi"te f"mil)& 1f !e "llo! divor$e for be"tin%+ !e shold "lso
"llo! it for sn"rlin%+ b"$*bitin%+ or n"%%in%&
4n "n$ient 4r"bi$ proverb !"rns the Bedoin not to let the $"mel pt his nose in the tent+ or
the rest of him !ill follo!& 4mon% e2$ses for divor$e+ domesti$ violen$e is the $"mel3s nose& 1f
!e "$$ept it+ !e mst "lso "$$ept other e2$ses+ "nd then !e $"n h"rdl) $l"im to t"*e the Bible3s
stri$t st"n$e "%"inst divor$e seriosl)&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1@.$.* Vole!ce "!# the <O!e Fle'h< Rel"to!'h(
Ph)si$"l "bse seems to sond " spe$i"l $hord of s)mp"th)& 1t represents the ltim"te intrsion
of one person into the life of "nother& 'his sense of viol"tion+ more th"n "n)thin% else+ m")
"$$ont for the e2$eptions th"t people !"nt to m"*e to God3s m"rri"%e l"! to "llo! divor$e for
domesti$ violen$e&
1roni$"ll)+ m"rri"%e is the onl) hm"n rel"tionship in !hi$h violen$e is !ot "n intrsion of
one person into the life of "nother& 4s he enters the !orld3s first m"rri"%e+ 4d"m re"li#es+ NYM)
!ifeZ is no! bone of m) bones+ "nd flesh of m) fleshN -Gen& 2:23/+ "nd the n"rr"tor $onfirms+
N'he) sh"ll be one fleshN -Gen& 2:24/& 'he ,ebre! idiom None fleshN emph"si#es not (st se2"l
nion+ bt the mer%in% of t!o people into one& 9e $"n "lmost tr"nsl"te it+ None person&N 4 m"n
"nd his !ife "re one entit) before God&
4 !ife !ho *i$*s her hsb"nd is not viol"tin% "nother person& She is *i$*in% " p"rt of
herself& 4 hsb"nd !ho be"ts his !ife is be"tin% " p"rt of himself& 9e !old not s%%est $ttin%
off the h"nd of "n ins"ne m"n to *eep him from flo%%in% himself& 1t is e="ll) ot of pl"$e to
s%%est th"t !e divide the one flesh of m"n "nd !ife to stop it from hrtin% itself&
9hen t!o people be$ome one+ the) m"*e themselves $ompletel) vlner"ble to one "nother&
'he intim"$) of bein% one "llo!s m"rri"%e to s"tisf) the loneliness of $elib"$)+ "nd %ives it its
proverbi"l $"p"$it) for nbonded (o)& S"dl)+ th"t s"me vlner"bilit) me"ns th"t if one spose is
demented+ the other sh"res in the $onse=en$es& 'he hsb"nd3s problems "re the !ife3s+ "nd the
!ife3s+ the hsb"nd3s& @either $"n s")+ N'h"t3s the other3s problem+ not mine&N 'he) "re one flesh
ntil p"rted b) de"th&
Some ;hristi"ns persevere in the f"$e of intense domesti$ violen$e+ !ith the tho%ht th"t
de"th is not the ltim"te tr"%ed)+ bt the Nf"r betterN st"te of bein% !ith ;hrist -Phil& 1:23/&
,o!ever+ the) dr"! the line !hen " spose "bses their $hildren+ "nd see* " divor$e to prote$t
the little ones&
'he Bible does not prohibit sep"r"tin% $hildren from " violent or perverted p"rent for their o!n
prote$tion& ;hildren "nd p"rents "re not None flesh+N "s m"n "nd !ife "re& Movin% ot is tr"%i$
for " spose+ bt the n"tr"l end of $hild re"rin%& Sometimes $hildren mst be sep"r"ted from "
violent p"rent+ bt th"t is no e2$se for sep"r"tin% the p"rents from one "nother& 4 believin%
p"rent shold prote$t $hildren b) hosin% them !ith rel"tives or in " foster home+ or even %ivin%
them p for "doption+ before see*in% to pt "snder !h"t God h"s (oined to%ether& Bibli$"ll)+ the
bond bet!een hsb"nd "nd !ife is f"r stron%er th"n th"t bet!een p"rent "nd $hild& 'o bre"*
either is tr"%i$+ bt to bre"* the stron%er in order to preserve the !e"*er is perverse "nd $ontr"r)
to the S$riptres&
1@.* Reme#e' for Dome'tc Vole!ce
'he previos t!o se$tions pose " dilemm"& Eiolen$e in the home is sinfl "nd ine2$s"ble& >et
the m"rri"%e bond is so stron% th"t even this sin does not dissolve it before God& Shold !e st"nd
=ietl) b) !hile one p"rtner destro)s the otherH
'here "re "ltern"tives& God %overns his people thro%h three instittions: the f"mil)+ the
$hr$h+ "nd the $ivil m"%istr"te& @one of these "thorities is "tonomos& 4ll "re sb(e$t to the
l"! of God& 1f one %oes "str")+ the believer shold see* help from the other t!o&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
1@.*.1 Hel( from the Ch%rch
'he home is not independent of the $hr$h& 1 'imoth) 5:6 %ives "n e2"mple of $hr$h
(risdi$tion over the home&
(ut if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the
faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
P"l is dis$ssin% the $"re of ;hristi"n !ido!s& 4 m"n !ith !ido!ed rel"tives shold spport
them& 8ther!ise+ the $hr$h shold re$*on him "n "post"te& M"tthe! 16:1571: sho!s th"t this
dis$ipline t"*es effe$t onl) "fter the $hr$h repe"tedl) tries to $orre$t him&
9ithin the home+ Nthe m"n is he"d of !om"nN -1 ;or& 11:3/+ !hether she is his !ife or "
!ido!ed "nt for !hom he is $"rin%& >et b) %ivin% the $hr$h (risdi$tion over the $"re of
!ido!s+ P"l opens the !") for " !ido! to $ome to the $hr$h if her nephe! is not providin%
for her& She is not rebellin% "%"inst her nephe!+ bt see*in% the help of " se$ond "thorit)+ the
$hr$h+ !hen the first+ the home+ h"s f"iled& 1f she is ot of line+ the $hr$h !ill tell her so&
1 'imoth) 5:6 $ondemns " m"n !ho ne%le$ts+ not (st his !ido!s+ bt his f"mil) members in
%ener"l& 4 !ife h"s the s"me re$orse to the $hr$h th"t " !ido! does& 1f she is bein% overl)
$riti$"l of her hsb"nd+ the $hr$h shold $orre$t her& 8ther!ise+ it shold de"l !ith her
hsb"nd&
'he $hr$h $"n do more th"n simpl) e2$lde the offender& Eiolen$e often reslts from "
severe ps)$holo%i$"l or spirit"l distrb"n$e th"t the violent person $"nnot dire$tl) $ontrol& 'he
$ond$t is still sinfl+ bt it m") be tre"t"ble& 'he $hr$h shold r%e not onl) $onfession "nd
repent"n$e+ bt "lso "ppropri"te bibli$"l $onselin% to "ddress the nderl)in% problems&
4 !om"n see*in% help from the $hr$h shold %o dire$tl) to the elders of the "ssembl)& She
is invo*in% the $hr$h "s " me$h"nism of "thorit)+ not (st "s " sor$e of fello!ship+ "nd the
elders be"r the responsibilit) for th"t "thorit)& 1f she $ompl"ins "bot her hsb"nd to the l"dies3
pr")er %rop+ she m") !in s)mp"th) "nd st"rt some (i$) %ossip+ bt the) do not h"ve the
(risdi$tion to de$ide her $"se "nd see* " soltion& 'he rest of the $hr$h shold not le"rn of the
problems nless the elders need to m"*e them *no!n so th"t the $hr$h m") e2er$ise
"ppropri"te dis$ipline&
1@.*.$ Hel( from the St"te
'he home is not independent of the st"te !hen its members bre"* the l"!& God h"s est"blished
the $ivil rler "s his serv"nt+ to prote$t the pri%ht $iti#en "nd e2e$te (d%ment on the n(st
-.om& 13:3+4/& 4s !e dis$ssed in ;h"pter 6 G#r"3s intervention in bre"*in% p f"milies
illstr"tes the "thorit) of the st"te to enfor$e its l"!s over the f"mil)& 4ss"lt "nd b"tter) is "
$rimin"l offense in most !estern so$ieties+ "nd God intends the $ivil m"%istr"te to defend those
!ho "re so "bsed&
;ivil "dministr"tions differ in the *inds "nd "mont of help the) $"n offer in $"ses of
domesti$ violen$e& 'he "thorities m") pl"$e " violent spose in "n instittion to provide ther"p)
"nd prote$t the rest of the f"mil)& Some $ommnities provide s"fe hoses !here " b"ttered
spose m") find ref%e "nd $onsel& 1f $hildren "re thre"tened "nd shelter !ith rel"tives is not
"v"il"ble+ st"te so$i"l "%en$ies m") h"ve both the "thorit) "nd the resor$es to pl"$e them in
foster homes&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
'he st"te !ill not sh"re the believer3s nderst"ndin% of the m"rri"%e bond+ "nd sometimes
m") r%e divor$e "s the e"siest soltion to the problem& 'he believer re$o%ni#es th"t this is no
soltion+ "nd !ill not "$$ept it& Lst be$"se one "thorit) -the f"mil)/ is n%odl) is no re"son to
"$$ept n%odl) s%%estions from "nother -the %overnment/& 8ne $"n $on$eive of " $ivil
%overnment th"t de$l"res " m"rri"%e dissolved if there is violen$e or "bse& Bt the m"%istr"te is
po!erless to dissolve " bond th"t God h"s for%ed+ "nd the believer so sep"r"ted from " spose
!ill not $onsider rem"rri"%e nless the other p"rtner dies&
1@.*.* S%bm''o! "!# See.!, Hel(
4 believin% !ife is not rebellin% "%"inst her hsb"nd in see*in% help either from the $hr$h or
from the st"te& 'he Bible does te"$h th"t people shold be sb(e$t to the "thorities th"t God pts
over them& 1t "lso re$o%ni#es th"t these "thorities $"n rebel "%"inst the Cord& 'he Bible does not
"s* s to spport their rebellion&
For inst"n$e+ the Bible te"$hes th"t believers "re to be sb(e$t to the $hr$h: N8be) those
!ho h"ve the rle over )o+ "nd sbmit )orselvesN -,eb& 13:1:/& >et "n elder3s rle $"n be
$h"llen%ed+ for P"l tells 'imoth) ho! to reb*e "n errin% elder -1 'im& 5:19+20/&
4s "nother e2"mple+ believers "re to be sb(e$t to the $ivil m"%istr"te: NCet ever) sol be
sb(e$t to the hi%her po!ersN -.om& 13:1/& >et !hen hm"n le"ders $omm"nd sin+ Peter "nd the
other "postles obe) God r"ther th"n men -4$ts 5:29/&
4 believin% !ife !ho see*s the intervention of the $hr$h or the st"te is prote$tin% not onl)
herself bt her spose "s !ell& 1n h"rmin% her he is h"rmin% himself& ,er foremost $on$ern o%ht
to be his !elf"re& 8ffi$i"l intervention m") be the onl) !") to sho! him th"t he h"s " problem+
"nd le"d him to see* help&
Fomesti$ violen$e is " tr"%i$ sin& God h"s provided some $h"nnels of help+ b) est"blishin%
overl"ppin% me$h"nisms of "thorit)& Bt he %ives s no re"son to thin* th"t he dissolves the
bond of m"rri"%e be$"se of this sin& So$ieties m") offer divor$e "s " soltion+ "nd friends m")
r%e it+ bt the believer !ill re$o%ni#e th"t the m"rri"%e bond persists ntil de"th&
REVIEW 9UESTIONS
1& 9h"t nderl)in% "ttitde le"ds to domesti$ violen$eH
2& Ple"se %ive three bibli$"l referen$es $ondemnin% this "ttitde&
3& Ple"se ev"l"te this (stifi$"tion b) " m"n for be"tin% his !ife: NGod h"s est"blished
me "s his represent"tive over m) !ife& Lst "s he $h"stises me !hen 1 sin+ so 1 "m
responsible for $h"stisin% her !hen she sins&N
4& 9hi$h rel"tionship is stron%er77th"t bet!een m"n "nd !ife+ or th"t bet!een p"rent "nd
$hildH Ple"se spport )or "ns!er !ith S$riptre&
5& B"sed on )or "ns!er to the l"st =estion+ ple"se ev"l"te these str"te%ies for
prote$tin% $hildren in $"ses of domesti$ violen$e:
-"/ Sep"r"te the $hildren from the violent spose b) " divor$e+ le"vin% the $hildren in
the $"re of the nonviolent sposeP
-b/ Sep"r"te the $hildren from the violent spose b) hosin% them !ith rel"tives or
pl"$in% them in " foster home&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
5& 9h"t me$h"nisms h"s God est"blished to order the life of his peopleH
:& Ple"se %ive " bibli$"l e2"mple to sho! th"t the $hr$h h"s (risdi$tion over the "ff"irs
of the home&
6& Ple"se %ive " bibli$"l e2"mple to sho! th"t the st"te h"s (risdi$tion over the "ff"irs of
the home&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
CHAPTER 1D
)OD /NOWS THE WAK OUT
Some bibli$"l l"!s $h"n%e "s !e move thro%h the S$riptres& 4nim"l s"$rifi$es $ome "nd %o&
P"tterns of !orship $h"n%e& Bt the l"! of m"rri"%e is inviol"te& 'he Bible opens in " %"rden
!here m"n le"rns th"t his !ife is indivisibl) p"rt of him+ bone of his bones "nd flesh of his flesh
-Gen& 2:23/& 1t $loses !ith the vision of " he"venl) p"r"dise from !hi$h forni$"tors "re e2$lded
-.ev& 22:15/& 1n bet!een+ ever) !itness "%rees th"t divor$e is !ron% "nd rem"rri"%e is "dlter)&
Modern people do not li*e "bsoltes& 9e prefer to h"n% loose+ to rem"in fle2ible+ to *eep or
options open& 1n the f"$e of e2p"ndin% *no!led%e "bot or niverse+ !e h"ve le"rned to be
$"tios "bot m"*in% st"tements of f"$t& 8r d"il) lives seem too $omple2 for nv"r)in% rles
of beh"vior& 'he !isdom of the d") insists+ N@ever s") 3@ever&3N
Modern people h"ve %ood re"son for their $"tion& 'he more te$hni$"l s*ill !e %"in+ the
more ethi$"l dilemm"s !e f"$e& @e! !e"pons+ promisin% se$rit) "%"inst or enemies+ le"d to
hei%htened intern"tion"l tension& 'he "bilit) to tr"nspl"nt or%"ns from one person to "nother
nle"shes the spe$tre of lettin% one individ"l die to prolon% the life of "nother& 9e h"ve
developed po!erfl me$h"nisms for redistribtin% !e"lth+ bt !e $"n seldom "nti$ip"te "ll the
effe$ts of invo*in% them& 9e "re li*e r"ts in " m"#e+ !ith no !") to see the over"ll problem& 9e
mst tr) one rote+ then "nother+ ntil !e stmble on the soltion& 9e "re lo"the to "$$ept
"bsolte rles+ lest the) le"d s to " de"d end&
Perh"ps+ in the li%ht of this modern $"tion+ !e shold rel"2 the $on$lsions !e h"ve re"$hed
"bot divor$e "nd rem"rri"%e& ;"n God3s 9ord re"ll) be "s infle2ible "s it seemsH ,"ve !e re"d
somethin% !ron%H 4re there re"ll) no e2$eptions+ no spe$i"l $"ses+ no bendin% of the rlesH
God3s C"! seems nre"listi$ onl) if !e impose hm"n limits on God himself& 1n f"$t+ God
$re"ted or !orld+ so he st"nds otside "nd "bove its $omple2it)& ,e sees the problems "nd
*no!s the "ns!er& 'o help s in or dilemm"+ he spe"*s to s in the Bible "nd thro%h his Son
-,eb& 1:1+2/& ,e tells s the !") ot of the m"#e&
God not onl) *no!s or dilemm"s better th"n !e doP he $"n $h"n%e them& 'he Bible
"bonds !ith e2"mples of m"#es !hose !"lls shift "t the l"st moment& God3s people+ to "ll
"ppe"r"n$es tr"pped be)ond hope+ sddenl) find before them "n open door& ,is enemies+ despite
their $"refl pl"ns+ find themselves $t off !ithot re$orse&
8n$e !e re$o%ni#e th"t God *no!s the !") ot+ or "ppro"$h to life t"*es " ver) different
dire$tion from th"t of or $ontempor"ries&
'he) believe th"t m"n is his o!n l"st hope& 9e believe th"t m"n3s ;re"tor $"n "nd does
help him&
'he) v"le the Bible onl) "s " $olle$tion of hm"n !isdom+ sb(e$t to "ll the
limit"tions of m"n himself& 9e re"d on its p"%es the instr$tions of the Cord God+ !ho
$"n see the !") ot of or dilemm"s&
'he) vie! " de"d end in the m"#e of life "s the ltim"te dis"ster+ the reslt of m"*in%
the !ron% $hoi$es& 9e *no! th"t God sometimes le"ds his people into de"d ends to
sho! his po!er b) openin% doors in bl"n* !"lls&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
4h"b+ *in% of 1sr"el+ is " shre!d m"n+ "nd in $onferen$e !ith his "dvisors+ determines th"t
the time is ri%ht to mont " milit"r) $"mp"i%n "%"inst S)ri"& 'he) !"nt to re$"ptre ."moth
Gile"d+ "n 1sr"elite $it) th"t S)ri" $on=ered )e"rs before -1 Din%s 22:3/& ,e pers"des
Lehosh"ph"t+ the *in% of Ld"h+ to "$$omp"n) him on the e2pedition& Lehosh"ph"t "s*s th"t the)
first see* the Cord3s instr$tion& 4 milit"r) ventre is " m"#e of the !orst sort& 'he "dvers"r) is
intelli%ent+ the p")off is n$ert"in+ "nd the ris*s "re hi%h& Lehosh"ph"t !"nts to *no! !h"t the
m"#e loo*s li*e from he"ven3s perspe$tive&
4h"b3s $ort prophets %ive him the "ns!er he !"nts:
Go up, and the 7ord will give I)amoth>GileadJ into the king=s hand !""%1&.
Lehosh"ph"t sspe$ts their motives+ "nd "s*s for " se$ond opinion& 'hro%h Mi$"i"h the son of
1ml"h+ God "nnon$es th"t the $"mp"i%n !ill end in 4h"b3s de"th -22:1:723/& 'he n"rr"tor
sho!s s the "$$r"$) of this predi$tion+ for the *in% of S)ri" instr$ts his $omm"nders+
,o not fight with small or with great, but only with the king of 'srael !""%0$&.
4h"b f"$es " de$ision& ,e $"n heed God3s !"rnin%+ bt then he !ill inslt his $ort prophets+
"nd "ppe"r fri%htened before his o!n "rm)& S$h " sho! of !e"*ness $old invite " $op& ,is
other option is to hope th"t God3s !"rnin% is not "bsolte& Perh"ps God onl) me"ns to point ot
the %ener"l d"n%er of the mission& Srel)+ if 4h"b t"*es spe$i"l pre$"tions+ he $"n es$"pe de"th&
4h"b $hooses to trst in his $leverness r"ther th"n in God3s 9ord& ,e pers"des Lehosh"ph"t
to !e"r his ro)"l robes into b"ttle+ !hile 4h"b himself is dis%ised to "void re$o%nition -22:30/&
4s he hopes+ the rse s$$eeds in dr"!in% the "tt"$* to!"rd Lehosh"ph"t "nd "!") from himself+
"t le"st for " !hile -22:32+33/& 1t seems th"t he is s$$essfl in n"vi%"tin% the m"#e b) himself&
Bt " ne"r7si%hted S)ri"n soldier+ in the e2$itement of the b"ttle+ shoots off "n "rro! "t r"ndom+
"nd it finds its !") bet!een the (oints of 4h"b3s "rmor+ !here even the most s*illed m"r*sm"n
!old h"ve h"d troble %idin% it -22:34/& B) evenin%+ 4h"b is de"d&
Pit) 4h"b& ,is is the !") of modern m"n& ,is !orld is $omple2 0 too $omple2+ $ert"inl)+ to
be $omprehended b) the simple "bsolte revel"tions of God& 4fter "ll+ !h"t does the Cord *no!
"bot milit"r) str"te%ies+ or the politi$s of *in% "nd $ortH ,e he"rs God (st "s m$h "s he
ple"ses+ bt no more& 'hen he m"*es his o!n de$isions "nd %ides his o!n f"te77or so he thin*s+
ntil the p"th th"t seemed to promise " !") ot of the m"#e ends !ith " str") "rro!&
,o! different is the $"mp"i%n on !hi$h Moses le"ds 1sr"el ot of G%)pt& Moses is ever) bit
"s hm"n "s 4h"b+ "s !e see in his rel$t"n$e before the brnin% bsh -G2od& 3+4/& 1n the end+ he
"$$epts his $ommission& God sends him to Ph"r"oh !ith " simple $omm"nd: NCet m) people %oN
-5:1/&
Moses is no str"n%er to Ph"r"oh3s $ort& ,e !"s r"ised there+ "s the son of Ph"r"oh3s
d"%hter& Srel) he *no!s th"t otri%ht dem"nds "re no !") to !in f"vors from "n orient"l
despot+ espe$i"ll) if the) $ost him "ll of his sl"ves& Perh"ps Moses shold (st "s* for " fe!
tribes& 4nd " $omm"nd from the sl"ves3 God is not li*el) to motiv"te the G%)pti"n *in%& Moses
!old do m$h better to "r%e th"t the b"rr"$*s "re over$ro!ded& Bt God3s $omm"nd "llo!s no
s$h finessin%&
Dou shall say to #haraoh, CThus says the 7-),% 'srael is my son, my firstborn. 8nd ' say to you, =7et
my son go, that he may serve me. 8nd if you refuse to let him go, behold, ' will slay your son, your
firstborn=C !+%"","0&.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
Moses $"rries the mess"%e "s God $omm"nds+ "nd Ph"r"oh responds "s !e mi%ht e2pe$t& ,e
not onl) refses to %r"nt !h"t he $onsiders "n insolent re=est+ bt in$re"ses the lo"d l"id on the
1sr"elites to distr"$t their minds from "n) frther foolishness& 'he people $ompl"in so bitterl) to
Moses th"t he $h"llen%es the Cord+
7ord, why have you done evil to this peopleG 9hy have you sent meG Ever since ' came to #haraoh to
speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all
!?%"","0&.
For "ll th"t Moses or the elders of 1sr"el $"n see+ God h"s driven them into " de"d end& Bt God
p"tientl) responds+ N@o! )o sh"ll see !h"t 1 !ill do to Ph"r"ohN -5:1/& 4nd he pro$eeds to
nle"sh the ten pl"%es on the l"nd of G%)pt&
Gvent"ll) Ph"r"oh relents+ "nd the people p"$* p to le"ve& 'he Cord %ides them "lon% "
rote th"t le"ds to the shores of the .ed Se"& 'hen Ph"r"oh+ hmili"ted "t h"vin% %iven in+ le"ds
his "rm) ot "%"inst the ref%ees& 9hen the 1sr"elites find the se" before them "nd the G%)pti"ns
"t their heels+ the) on$e "%"in $ompl"in&
9as it for lack of graves in Egypt that you brought us to die in the wildernessG 9hat is this that you
have done to us, to bring us out of EgyptG 9asn=t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt,
saying, C7et us alone, and we will serve Egypt. For it is better for us to serve Egypt than to die in the
wildernessC !$+%$$,$"&.
,o! the) !ish Moses h"dn3t been so do%m"ti$ "bot God3s $omm"nd& ;oldn3t he (st h"ve
"lle%ori#ed it into " promise of spirit"l freedomH 1f onl) he h"dn3t t"*en God so liter"ll)+ the)
!oldn3t be p "%"inst this de"d end&
B) no!+ Moses h"s le"rned th"t God le"ds his people into de"d ends to sho! them his po!er&
,e replies+
,on=t be afraid. Take your stand, and see the salvation of the 7-),, which he will perform for you
today. \ The 7-), shall fight for youH and as for you, you shall be quiet !$+%$0,$+&.
'he) shold hold their ton%e& ,o! d"re the) s%%est th"t he shold not follo! God3s
instr$tionH God h"s led them into this dilemm"& ,e !ill le"d them ot&
4nd le"d them ot he does& Ci*e " door in the !"ll of " m"#e+ " p"th opens thro%h the .ed
Se"& 1sr"el m"r$hes "$ross on dr) l"nd+ "nd !hen the G%)pti"n host tries to prse them+ God
bries them bene"th the !"ters& 'o this d")+ Le! "nd ;hristi"n "li*e remember the vi$tor) "t the
.ed Se"& 1t !"s " %re"t vi$tor)& 1t h"ppened onl) be$"se Moses !"s not "fr"id to let God le"d
the n"tion into " de"d end in order to sho! his po!er&
9here is the !") of 4h"bH 1t srronds s on ever) side& 'here "re m"n) !ho s") of God3s
m"rri"%e l"!+ N'h"t3s too "bsolte+ too infle2ible& 9e *no! " better !")&N 'he) tr) to bend
God3s revel"tion+ trstin% more in their o!n m)opi$ vie! of the m"#e th"n in the over"ll
perspe$tive th"t he %ives& 'he) "%ree th"t+ in %ener"l+ m"rri"%e shold be perm"nent& Bt the)
thin* the) *no! eno%h to m"*e some e2$eptions to God3s rles& S"dl)+ the) "re not !ise
eno%h to "void the !")!"rd "rro!s "rond !hi$h God $old h"ve %ided them&
9here is the God of MosesH ,e is still here+ too& ,e still %ives his people instr$tions+ "s he
did to Moses& Sometimes those instr$tions seem (st "s foolish "nd infle2ible "s did God3s
$ommission for Moses& >et th"t $ommission led str"i%ht into " mir"$le&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
M"rri"%e "bonds !ith de"d ends: " $ople !ho $"nnot "%ree on ho! to m"n"%e their
mone)P " hsb"nd !ho be"ts his !ifeP " !om"n !ho "b"ndons her believin% hsb"nd "nd their
$hildrenP " ne!l)7s"ved divor$ee !ho lon%s for the fello!ship of " ;hristi"n home& 1t seems so
e"s) to find or !") ot of the m"#e orselves& 9e "llo! " divor$e here+ " rem"rri"%e there+ not
"s viol"tions of the bibli$"l l"!+ bt "s the Ne2$eptions th"t prove the rle&N 4h"b3s "rro! !"rns
th"t this !") lies dis"ster&
1n f"$t+ NimpossibleN problems sho! th"t God intends to m"*e s p"rt of " mir"$le& Lst !hen
the p"th seems most $ompletel) blo$*ed+ he s")s to s+ "s he s"id to Moses+ N@o! )o sh"ll see
!h"t 1 !ill do&N Sometimes he !or*s =i$*l)P sometimes slo!l)& Bt he !ill !or*+ if onl) !e do
not interfere&
,on=t be afraid. Take your stand, and see the salvation of the 7-),, which he will perform for you
today.
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
SELECT -I-LIO)RAPHK
Abbre1"to!'
B4G: 9& B"er+ 9&F& 4rndt+ "nd F&9& Gin%ri$h+ A #ree"$English %e&icon of the 'ew
(estament and ther Early )hristian %iteratures& ;hi$"%o: ?niversit) of ;hi$"%o press+
195:&
Other Refere!ce'
4d"ms+ L")+ 1960& *arriage, +ivorce and !emarriage in the Bible& Phil"delphi": Presb)teri"n
"nd .eformed Pblishin% ;omp"n)&
Bern"rd+ L&,&+ Y195:Z& 'he Se$ond Gpistle to the ;orinthi"ns& 1n 9&.& @i$oll+ (he E&positor,s
#ree" (estament& .eprinted Gr"nd ."pids: 9illi"m B& Gerdm"ns&
Br$e+ F&F&+ 19::& Paul- Apostle of the Heart Set .ree& Gr"nd ."pids: 9illi"m B& Gerdm"ns&
Bllin%er+ G&9&+ 1696& .igures of Speech /sed in the Bible& Condon: G)re "nd Spottis!oode&
.epblished Gr"nd ."pids: B"*er Boo* ,ose+ 1956&
Brton+ G&+ 1696& Synta& of the *oods and (enses in 'ew (estament #ree"& Gdinbr%h: '& ~ '&
;l"r* -reprint 1955/&
Glli%er+ D&+ "nd 9& .dolph+ eds&+ 19::& Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia& Sttt%"rt: Fets$he
Bibelstiftn%&
Grl"ndsson+ S&+ 19:4& Nbaghadh0 beghedh&N (heological +ictionary of the ld (estament+ Eol& 1&
ed& G&L& Botter!e$* "nd ,& .in%%ren& Gr"nd ."pids: 9&B& Gerdm"ns&
Greenber%+ Moshe+ 1963& E1e"iel 2$34- A 'ew (ranslation with 5ntroduction and )ommentary&
'he 4n$hor Bible& G"rden ;it): Fobled")&
,eth+ 9illi"m 4&+ 1962& N4n 4n"l)sis "nd ;riti=e of the Gv"n%eli$"l Protest"nt Eie! of
Fivor$e "nd .em"rri"%e&N 'hM 'hesis+ F"ll"s 'heolo%i$"l Semin"r)+ F"ll"s+ 'I&
+ "nd Gordon L& 9enh"m+ 1964& 6esus and +ivorce& Condon: ,odder "nd Sto%hton&
,od%es+ M&;&+ "nd 4&C& F"rst"d+ eds&+ 1962& (he #ree" 'ew (estament According to the *a7ority
(e&t& @"shville: 'hom"s @elson&
D"iser+ 9"lter ;&+ Lr&+ 1963& (oward ld (estament Ethics& Gr"nd ."pids: Monderv"n&
Dillen+ .&+ "nd .e"+ L&+ 19:5& N;oven"nt&N 8ycliffe Bible Encyclopedia+ ed& ;& Pfeiffer+ ,& Eoss+
"nd L& .e"& ;hi$"%o: Mood)&
Dit$hen+ D&4&+ 1955& Ancient rient and ld (estament& ;hi$"%o: 1nter7E"rsit)&
C"ne)+ L& ;"rl+ 1961& (he +ivorce *yth& Minne"polis: Beth"n) ,ose&
C$*+ 9illi"m F&+ 196:& +ivorce and !emarriage- !ecovering the Biblical 9iew& S"n Fr"n$is$o:
,"rper "nd .o!&
Mor%enstern+ Lli"n+ 1929& JBeena M"rri"%e -M"tri"r$h"t/ in 4n$ient 1sr"el "nd its ,istori$"l
1mpli$"tions&N :A8 @&F& 5+ 917110&
+ 1931& N4ddition"l @otes on Beena M"rri"%e -M"tri"r$h"t/ in 4n$ient 1sr"el&3N :A8
@&F& 6+ 45756&
Mole+ ;&F&F&+ 1959& An 5diom$Boo" of 'ew (estament #ree"& ;"mbrid%e: ?niversit) Press&
Mrr")+ Lohn+ 1951& +ivorce& Phil"delphi": Presb)teri"n "nd .eformed&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM
@efeld+ G&+ 1944& Ancient Hebrew *arriage %aws& Condon: Con%m"ns+ Green+ "nd ;o&
P"rn"*+ ,&E&F&+ 19:6& Structural Studies in E1e"iel& PhF Fissert"tion+ Fep"rtment of @e"r
G"stern C"n%"%es "nd ;ivili#"tions+ ,"rv"rd ?niversit)& ?niversit) Mi$rofilm :916211&
+ 1961& N8r"l ')pesettin%: Some ?ses of Bibli$"l Str$tre&N Biblica 52: 1537156&
+ 1962& NSome 42ioms for Citer"r) 4r$hite$tre&N Semitics 6: 1715&
+ 1963& N'r"nsition"l 'e$hni=es in the Bible&N 6ournal of Biblical %iterature 102:
5257546&
P"l+ S&+ 1959& NG2od& 21:10 4 'hreefold M"inten"n$e ;l"se&N 6ournal of 'ear Eastern Studies
26: 46753&
Pl"t#+ 9&+ 1953& NMono%"mie nd Pol)%)nie im 4lten 'est"ment&N :A8 :5+ 372:&
Steele+ P"l G&+ "nd ;h"rles ;& .)rie+ 1963& *eant to %ast& 9he"ton: Ei$tor Boo*s&
9"tson+ 9ilfred G&G&+ 1964& )lassical Hebrew Poetry- A #uide to its (echniques& Lorn"l for
the Std) of the 8ld 'est"ment Spplement Series 25& Sheffield: LS8' Press&
9enh"m+ Gordon+ 19:9& N'he .estor"tion of M"rri"%e .e$onsidered&N 6ournal of 6ewish Studies
30:35740&
9illi"ms+ .&+ 195:& Hebrew Synta&- An utline& 'oronto: ?niversit) of 'oronto&
>"m"$hi+ G&M&+ 19:4& NGree*+ ,ebre!+ 4r"m"i$+ or S)ri"$HN Bibliotheca Sacra 131:3207331&
.& >"ron+ 1955& N'he .estor"tion of M"rri"%e+N 6ournal of 6ewish Studies 1:: 1711&
12/9/2011 10:32:54 PM